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PUBLISHED BY •'*'^ 
"HE DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY 
GOULDSBORO. MAINE 






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HISTORICAL 
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GOULDSBOPO 
MAINE 

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Oouldsboro, naiae 

Published by the Daughters of Liberty 

I 904 



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UBRaRV of CONCiPtSS 
Two Copies Received 

FEB 15: 1904 

'v^ Copyright tntry 
CLASS a- XXc. No. 

COPY a'- 



Copyright, 1 904, by the Daughters of Liberty 
West Gouldsboro, Maine 



PRESS OF 

W. H. SHERMAN, PRINTER AND STATIONER 

BAR HARBOR, MAINE 



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PREFACE. 



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IN COMPILING these researches, the authors have en- 
deavored to present facts relating to the formation of the 
tov/n, its history and progress in industrial and educational 
lines. Exhaustive inquiry has brought to light data supposed 
to be lost. The older inhabitants of the tov/n have delved 
deep In memory's store-house and brought forth jev/els 
precious to those who love the hills, the rugged shore line 
and wooded landscape of their native town. Friends far 
and near have added information of statistical and historical 
interest, that the sturdy and unremitting toil of our pioneers 
may serve to exemplify a spirit to be perpetuated by rising 
generations, ever remembering that the public school is the 
key to the future of the American Republic. 

The Daughters of Liberty, 



Grace Wood Clark, Secretary. 
West Gouldsboro, December 31, 1903. 




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OOULDSBOBOUGH 

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TOWN OF GOULDSBORO. 



ON FEBRUARY 16, 1789, the General Court of said 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts formally organized 
Township 3, or the plantation of Gouldsboro, as a town, in 
the County of Lincoln, (the county not bearing General 
Hancock's name until June 25, 1789) which took effect 
May 1, 1790, Maine not becoming a state until March 15, 
1820. 

The original grant was given to Nathan Jones, Francis 
Shaw and Robert Gould, in 1764. The disposition of 
Francis Shaw's portion is spoken of elsewhere. William 
Bingham of Philadelphia, purchased over 2,000,000 acres 
of land in Maine. 

On July 12, 1796, William Shaw conveyed to William 
Bingham all the eastern portion of the town not sold with 
reserves of Harvard College lot, Schoodic peninsula and 
Public School lot, of 484 acres each, also three settlers' 
lots of 100 acres each near Mosquito Harbor, (Winter 
Harbor,) in all 6,789 acres, for £4,415 or $22,075. 

In the division in 1790, William Shaw had the south- 
western quarter section and bought his eastern interest of 
John Lane, a London merchant. It is stated that Mr. 
Lane furnished money to Robert Gould the surveyor, but 
the town bears the name of the latter from his earnest 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

efforts to procure the desired number of citizens to establish 
the town. Even the dogs were named Tobias, etc., to swell 
the list. 

Gouldsboro is twenty-one miles east of Ellsworth and is 
on the Shore stage line. The area is about 30,000 acres. 
Forbes and Jones ponds are the chief bodies of water. The 
principal eminence is Mt. Cromer; 600 feet high. This 
mountain was named for a hermit who lived at the back of 
the mountain and, when the larder was empty, foraged the 
farms near by; sometimes a store was broken into, and 
groceries missed. Then the proprietors, after looking 
over their loss, accepted the inevitable, only remarking, 
"I know well enough it was Old Cromer." 

The surface of the town is much broken, abounding in 
rocky cliffs of granite penetrated by veins of galena, zinc 
and copper. There is also greenstone and sienite. At 
Grindstone Point is an immense deposit of metamorphic or 
silicous slate which might prove excellent material for 
grindstones. 

The soil is clay loam and gravelly loam, one-third of the 
area being unsuitable for cultivation. Potatoes and oats 
are staple products. Market gardening is increasing. 
Fishing is an important industry. The water powers em- 
ployed in 1903 are Chicken Mill stream, steam mill; West 
Bay stream, shingle and stave mill; Jones Pond, saw mill 
and grist mill. 

The water power from Forbes Pond is not used at 
present for milling purposes. 

There were squatters as early as 1700. The first male 
child born was Robert Ash Jr.; the first female, Mary 
(called Polly) Libby, daughter of Samuel Libby. 

In 1861 there were 913 men in Gouldsboro. In 1900 
the town's population was 1,259. This decrease is due to 

6 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

the exodus of many townsmen to various parts of the 
United States to engage in business strife. Although the 
town is a severe loser, yet the^able management of town 
affairs proves there are yet citizens of New England type 
within her precincts. 

The octogenarians have witnessed many changes of 
which perhaps the greatest are the coming of the mail six 
times a week bringing the daily papers; steamboat con- 
nection and railway service but seven miles distant; and the 
longdistance telephone. The Winter Harbor octogenarians 
are: Capt. Nathan Hammond, aged 93; Charles Norris, 83; 
William Rand, 85; Albert Rand, 82; Nathan Bickford, 84; 
Elisha Bickford, 82; Mrs. Rachel Decker Sargent, 88; Mrs. 
Rhoda Joy Southard, 82; Jerry Tracy of Corea, 8i; Mrs. 
Flora Whittaker Soule, 90; and Mrs. Abbie Guptill Hill, 83, 
of Gouldsboro; John Bunker, 90; William Wood, 89; Mrs, 
Eliza Spurling Bunker, 90; and Mrs. Mary Shaw Kingsley, 
81, of West Gouldsboro. 












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GOULDSBORO PROPRIETORS. 



MONO the many noted men of Boston, who early 
became interested in Maine lands, was Francis Shaw, 
merchant, who was born March 29, 1721. He married 
(first) Lydia Dickman of Boston, November 3, 1744, She 
died December 26, 1746. He married (second) Sarah Burt, 
September 22, 1747. In 1754 he bought a house on the 
street leading from Fish street to the old North Meeting 
House, and bounded by the lands of the New Brick Meet- 
ing House, and of John Tudor and Paul Revere, This 
was his homestead, where all his children were born. 

In 1763 Robert Gould and Francis Shaw had the town- 
ship now Gouldsboro, explored, and Jan. 27, 1764, they 
obtained a grant of it from the general court. Tradition 
says that Mr. Shaw personally explored the township in 
1763. 

This attempt on the part of Gould and Shaw to found a 
town ended in disaster and in the end the largest part of the 
town went into the hands of William Bingham. I do not 
find that Mr, Shaw lived there but he visited the township 
often. Two of his sons were inhabitants of the town and 
died there. 

Mr. Shaw died October 18, 1784. His will February 
6, 1766 and codicil, December 5, 1783, proved October 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

26, 1784, names wife Sarah; children; Francis, John. 
Sarah, Samuel, William, Abigail, Benjamin and Nathaniel. 
Witnessed by Theodore Jones of Gouldsboro, Benjamin 
Shaw and Nathaniel Shaw. His children have many 
descendants in Maine. 

I. Thomas, born December 11, 1745; died September 
14, 1747. 

II. Francis Jr., born July 28, 1748, of Gouldsborough; 
died 1785. 

III. John, born July 6, 1750, of Gouldsborough. 

IV. Sarah, born February 14, 1752, married Samuel 
Parkman of Boston, his first wife. She died 1782. 

V. Samuel, born October 2, 1 754, of Boston, died 1 794. 

VI. William, born March 30, 1756, Gouldsborough 
and Quincy, Mass. 

VII. Abigail, born July 5, 1757; married John Crocker. 
She died in Washington, D. C., August 12, 1797. 

VIII. Benjamin, born August 4, 1758, of Boston, 
merchant. He was at Gouldsborough for some time. He 
and his wife Charity sold William Shaw lot in Goulds- 
borough, April 28, 1797, (Hancock Records volume 5, page 
529.) He died in New York, 1807, aged 49. 

IX. Nathaniel, born 1760. Bought land in Goulds- 
borough, September 6, 1784; the first deed recorded in 
Hancock County Records, volume 1, page 1. He 
lived there for some years. Nathaniel Shaw of Boston 
sold Asa Cole land in Gouldsborough, sixty acres, at 
Prospect Harbor, February 15, 1790. He died on his pas- 
sage home from Canton, 1791. 

X. Susannah. 

XI. Thomas, died at seven months. 

An account of Col. James Shaw, Jr., was printed in the 
Bangor Commercial. June 5, 1897. 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

John Shaw, son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was born in 
Boston, July 6, 1750. He lived in Gouldsborough and 
married Sarah, daughter of Nathan Jones of Gouldsborough. 
He died, 1780, aged 30. Mrs. Shaw married for her second 
husband Capt. W. R. E. Boyd of Portland. 

I. Nathan, born January 14, 1780, at Gouldsborough. 
Town clerk 1808 to 1812; selectman 1816 to 1840; 
representative 1812. He married Eunice Bradish Smith, 
daughter of Ebenezer and Betsy (Cobb) Smith and grand- 
daughter of Gen. David Cobb, July 10, 1810, John Black, 
Esq., performing the ceremony. Eunice Smith was born 
July 12, 1791, and died May 2, 1859. Nathan died 
September 16, 1867. Captain Shaw was the father of six 
daughters and two sons. One son, John B., and one 
daughter, Mrs. John Kingsley, are living. His nephew, 
Robert G. Shaw, and his widow, Judith P., were appointed 
administrators of his estate. The Quincy estate was sold 
to Anthony Baxter in 1805. He married Judith Proctor 
who died prior to 1810, A child I have been able to find, 
probably born in Gouldsborough, was Judith Proctor, 
married William Tuckerman between 1803 and 1810. 

William Shaw, son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was born 
March 30, 1756. He lived in Gouldsborough many years 
He was a petitioner there to the General Court July 1 , 
1775, and was at Machias, May 20, 1779, at a meeting of 
Warren lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was a member. 
Mr. Shaw was a justice of the peace at Gouldsborough for 
Lincoln county, 1785. 

William Shaw, Sr., of Gouldsborough sold the farm on 
which he then lived. August 10, 1792, to William Shaw. 
Jr., for $300. William Shaw and wife Judith of Goulds- 
borough. sold land in Frankfort, formerly owned by Paul 
Kenney, to Isaac Clark, November, 23, 1795. William 

10 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Shaw of Quincy sold David Cobb land in Gouldsborough 
January 13, 1800, adjoining his own place, (now Raymond 
Guptill's). 

Mr. Shaw was a large landholder in Gouldsborough and 
other towns in Maine. He moved to Quincy, Mass., about 
1799. He bought eighty acres of land there, with buildings 
on the north side of the Plymouth road, now Adams street, 
of Nathaniel Beale, April 19, 1799. 

On the Quincy town records is the following: "Died, 
August 13, 1803, William Shaw, aged 47, at Chandlemouth, 
on his return from a journey to the Springs." 

Samuel Shaw, son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was born in 
Boston, October 2, 1754. He was a merchant, a Revolu- 
tionary officer, and aide-de-camp to Gen, Knox. His 
house in Boston was in what is now known as Bulfinch 
Place where the Hotel Waterson stands. He lived some 
time at Gouldsborough and sailed in the ship Empress for 
Canton, China, February 22, 1784, as supercargo. 

The Empress was the first American ship sent to Canton. 
Mr. Shaw was appointed Consul to Canton by Washington 
and held the office until his death. He returned to this 
country and built at Braintree, now Quincy Point, in 1789, 
the largest merchant ship afloat, 820 tons. Job Prince was 
master and Shaw went out in the vessel to Canton, where 
she was sold. Mr. Shaw died at sea May 30, 1794, on his 
way home. His nephew, Josiah Quincy, president of 
Harvard college, wrote a most excellent memoir of him. 

Mr. Shaw married Hannah, daughter of the Hon. 
William Phillips of Boston, in 1792. She was born 
November 29, 1756. After her husband's death she went 
to Dedham, Mass.. and lived with her sister, Mrs. Sarah 
Douse. In 1819 the two sisters gave the Unitarian Church 
of Dedham a clock. 

11 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Nathan Jones, was born at Weston, Mass., September 
29, 1734. Married October 12, 1756 to Sarah Severns, 
who was born at Weston, May 5, A. D. 1734. Their 
children were: 

I. Nahum Jones, born at Weston, August 6, 1757; 
died at the Island of St. Martin's, March. 1793, aged 36 
years. 

II. Sarah Jones, born at Weston, January 15, 1759; 
married John, son of Francis and Sarah Shaw. Their 
children: John B., born at Gouldsboro June 28, 1778, lost at 
sea, 1800; Nathan Shaw, born January 14, 1780. John 
Sr. died October 25, 1780, at Gouldsboro Point, Sarah 
coming home with her son, Nathan, to live with her 
father at West Gouldsboro. While Nathan was still a baby, 
a detachment of English soldiers m.ade a raid on the settlers 
of Frenchman's Bay. Word had been received of their 
coming, for the silver and valuables had been secreted 
about Col. Jones' lake under hemlock bark which had been 
peeled to go to the tannery of Thomas Hill. The big clock 
was hid on an island in the lake. (This was afterwards 
bought by Barney Hill; in later years purchased by Alpheus 
Hardy and placed in the hall of his Boston residence.) The 
coming of the British from the cove to Col. Jones' house 
on the corner was not seen in time for the proprietor to 
absent himself, although the door was secured. A heavy 
knock and loud call for Col. Jones and his possessions was 
the greeting, The Colonel escaped through the bedroom 
window. Mrs. Jones making no response, the door was 
broken open but Mrs. Jones, thinking the fastening of the 
bedroom door slight, held it; this too was battered and the 
cords of Mrs. Jones' fingers cut by a bayonet. 

The intruders gained entrance but Col. Jones was then 
secreted in the woods on the hill. No threats persuaded 

12 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Mrs. Jones to tell where the Colonel was or the whereabouts 
of the possessions of value. Seeing the grandson, Nathan, 
in the cradle, and the brick oven all heated for the day's 
baking, the capfain commanded that a soldier put the 
infant in the oven if Mrs. Jones did not tell. The brave 
woman assured them they could exact no revelation. The 
child was not roasted and the party departed without 
prisoner or plunder. 

In after years Mrs. Shaw married Capt. W. R. E. 
Boyd of Portland, an Englishman. To them three daugh- 
ters were born, Maria, marrying Wales Taft of Weston, 
Mass. Their children were: Fletcher, a wonderful mathe- 
matician, who died in South Carolina; Maria, who married 
Henry, son of Ebenezer Wood; and Edward, now residing 
in New York. Mrs. Boyd died at Salem, July 13, 1848, 
at the age of eighty-nine years, six months. 

III. Theodore Jones, born in Weston, March 1, 1760. 
He married Sally Brimley of Boston. His second marriage 
was in Sullivan, Maine, November 24, 1793, to Katherine 
Winthrop Sargent, who was born at Amherst, N. H., April 
15, 1775. After this marriage he resided in Ellsworth, 
Me. He was a lumberman and manufacturer and was the 
father of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. 
He died February 7, 1842, and his wife died May 8, 1848. 

IV. Louisa Jones, born at Weston, May 23, 1763. 
Mrs. Louisa Jones Holden died at New York, November 
18, 1834, aged seventy-three. 

V. Pamela Jones, born at Weston, May 23, 1763. 
Pamela Jones Foster died at Trenton, Me. 

VI. Abijah Jones, born at Weston, April 23, 1765. 
With Nathan Shaw he built a store where the balm of 
Gilead trees now stand on the way to the shore from the 
"corner" at West Gouldsboro. Captain Jones was captain 

13 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

of the militia and during practice, excited by alcoholic 
beverage, he disputed the manner of sword practice with 
Rolfe, a soldier of experience and accidentally killed him. 
This troubled Captain Jones until his death. 

Captain Jones began the erection of a house a little 
above the residence of his fathers on the east. The cellar 
cost $1,500 and other expenses were in proportion, so that 
the firm failed and the house was sold by creditors at 
auction, to Ebenezer Wood, then living at Waukeag Neck. 
A mortgage of $100 was held by an heir in New Portland 
and this too had to be settled. 

Mr. Wood took the Mexican coin in saddle bags and 
on a small, gaunt, homely steed, set forth. He tarried over 
night at an inn with some officials who were bound to 
Court. They queried his destination for dinner. Upon 
receiving the reply a loud laugh passed around, but at noon 
time, Mr. Wood had passed the other riders and waited 
to receive his fellow travellers at the tavern. They ex- 
pressed unlimited surprise at the ability of the steed. But 
this is only a sample of the stuff in our town at this time. 
The house has passed through several hands finally coming 
back to Ebenezer Wood, now being occupied by his young- 
est son, Samuel and used as an inn for the past thirty 
years. 

Capt. Jones afterwards built the house that is occupied 
by Foster Bunker and Guy Sargent. Capt. Jones married 
Katy, daughter of Dimond Sargent of West Gouldsboro. 
They had three sons, William, lost from the O. H. Perry; 
George, who dropped dead at the lobster factory, Prospect 
Harbor; and Foster, who died at home. Capt. Abijah died 
January 7, 1835, aged seventy years. 

VII. Nathan Jones Jr., born at Gouldsboro, February 
7, 1767, died there Nov. 11, 1789. 

14 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

VIII. Mary Jones, born at Gouldsboro July 27, 1768. 
She was commonly known as "Polly." While visiting in the 
Provinces she obtained a chance to return home with two 
neighbors from Gouldsboro v/ho were coming in their boat. 
They were taken as prisoners and kept in the fort at St. 
Andrews all winter. 

Miss Jones washed and mended for the soldiers. In 
the spring they effected an escape and upon arriving home 
the Jones family first learned of the daughter's whereabouts 
as they had supposed she was visiting her friends. Miss 
Mary Jones died at Gouldsboro, August 8, 1825, aged 
fifty-seven years. 

IX. Eunice Jones, born at Gouldsboro, January 16, 
1770. 

X. Elisha Jones, born at Gouldsboro, August 31. 1771, 
He married the widow of Dr. Joseph Taft, formerly of 
Braintree, Mass., settled at Weston and died there 1824. 
Mrs. Taft Jones had two sons, Wales, otherwise spoken of, 
and Francis, Colonel of the militia. He came in declining 
years to take charge of Elisha Jones' farm. He was in 
the lumber business at St. John before coming to West 
Gouldsboro, and married Betsy, a sister to Abner Johnson, 
of Anodyne Linim.ent fame. 

Col. Taft was a thorough farmer and woodsman, always 
keeping a crew of men employed. In winter his team of 
four oxen was in the woods by starlight and the "boys" got 
up in the morning in those days. His two daughters, Susan 
and Elizabeth, died several years ago; his two sons, Francis 
and George, have but passed from our midst in recent years. 
The name Taft's Point still remains. Elisha Jones died 
December 14. 1842. 

XI. Danieljones.bornat Gouldsboro, January 17,1773, 
died at sea, November 22, 1790, aged seventeen years, 

15 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
XII. Susan Jones, born at Gouldsboro, September 1 1, 
1774, died at Addison Point, 1857. 

Mrs. Sarah Jones died at Gouidsboro, March 27, 1804, 
aged seventy years. 

Col. Nathan Jones died at Gouidsboro, May 7, 1806, 
aged seventy-three years. His life in Massachusetts we 
are unable to learn but he came here about 1765 with his 
family. He is recorded in Weston, Massachusetts, tax list 
1764 as Capt. Jones. He owned, besides the northwestern 
quarter section of Gouidsboro, a mill and wharves at 
Morancy, Sullivan, and other possessions. The saw mill he 
built here was burned, and one since. The present one was 
built by F. P. Noyes. The grist m.ill has been moved to its 
present position and repaired but the frame is the one Col. 
Jones erected. It is owned by Mrs. Nathan Shaw, Jr., and 
operated by James Kingsley, a great-great-grandson. The 
depression "on the corner", by the roadside above S. L. 
Tracy's store, marks the house of this town proprietor. He 
and Mrs. Jones were buried on the hillside above their 
house, now behind the buildings of William Wood. The 
lake and cove still perpetuate his name. 




16 



■■■ 1 H 



THE ACT OF INCORPORATION. 

1789, — Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

IN THE year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty nine an act for incorporating the Plantation 
of No. 3, Gouldsborough, so called, in the county of Lincoln, 
into a town by name of Gouldsboro. Be it enacted by the 
Senate and House of Representatives in General Court 
assembled and by the authority of the same that the 
Plantation of Gouldsborough, included within the bound- 
aries hereafter described, beginning at Frenchman's Bay 
at the bound mark between Gouldsborough and Township 
No. 2, thence running easterly by the south lines of Town- 
ship No. 2 and No, 7 to Gouldsborough harbor, the easterly, 
southerly and westerly by the bay to the bounds begun at 
including Stave Island, Jordan's Island. Iron Bound Island, 
Porcupine Islands, so called, Hern Island. Preble Island and 
Schoodick Island, together with the inhabitants thereof, be 
and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of 
Gouldsboro and the said is hereby vested with all the powers, 
privileges and immunities which other towns in this common- 
wealth by law do or may enjoy, and, be it further enacted, 
that Alexander Campbell Esq. be and he is hereby 
impowered to issue his warrant directed to some principal 
inhabitant of the said town of Gouldsboro requiring him to 

17 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

notify the inhabitants thereof to meet at such time and 
place as he shall therein appoint, to choose all such 
officers as towns are by law required to choose at their 
meetings in the month of March or April annually. 

In the House of Representatives February 16, 1789. 
This bill having had three several readings passed to be 
enacted. 

William Heath, Speaker P. T. 

In Senate February 16, 1789. This bill having had 
two several readings passed to be enacted. 

Samuel Phillips, President. 
Approved 

Jno. Hancock. 
A true copy. 

Attest : John Avery, Secretary. 



1789 — Lincoln ss. 
To Mr. Thomas Hill of Gouldsborough in said county, 
Yeoman, Greeting: 

In pursuance and agreeable to the foregoing act you are 
hereby authorized and required in the name of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn all the 
freeholders and other inhabitants within said Town of 
Gouldsborough qualified to vote in town affairs as the law 
directs that they assemble and meet together at the house 
of Capt. Samuel Libby in said town on Thursday the 23rd 
day inst. April at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there 
to vote and act on the following particulars namely: — 

1st. To choose a Moderator to regulate said meeting. 

2nd. To choose a Clerk. 

3rd, To choose a Treasurer. 

18 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

4th. To choose all other town officers as the law 
directs. 

Given under my hand and seal at No. 4, 2nd of April 
A. Domini 1789. 

Alex. Campbell. J. Peace. 

By virtue of the foregoing warrant to me directed the 
Inhabitants of the Town of Gouldsborough are notified to meet 
at the time and place for the purpose therein mentioned. 

Gouldsborough 4th April, 1789. 

Thos. Hill. 



Agreeable to the foregoing order the town met at the 
time and place and made choice of the following officers: 

Nathan Jones Esq., Moderator; William Shaw, Clerk; 
Dr. Benj. AUine. Treasurer; Thomas Hill, Samuel Libby, 
Eli Forbes, Selectmen and Assessors; Thomas Hill, Con- 
stable and Collector for year ensuing; Nathan Jones, 
Samuel Libby, Benj. Godfrey, Surveyors of Roads; Thos. 
Hill, William Shaw, Abijah Cole, Surveyors of Lumber; 
William Sargent Jones, Clement Furnald, John Gubtail, Jr., 
Fence Viewers; Benjamin Ash, John Gubtail, Jr., Deer 
Reever; Dr. Benjamin Alline, sealer of weights and 
measures; Peter Godfrey, sealer of leather. 

Voted: That there be fifty pounds raised to be worked 
out on the highways. 

Voted: That the selectmen are directed immediately 
to assess the county tax for Six Pounds Two Shillings, 

Voted: That Twenty Pounds be granted to defray the 
necessary expenses of the town for the ensuing year. 

Voted: That the meeting be dissolved. 

A true copy. 

William Shaw, T. Clerk, 

19 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

The officers chosen at the foregoing meeting were 
legally notified and took their oaths for the faithful perform- 
ance of their several trusts. A county tax for the sum of 
Six Pounds Two Shillings also a town tax of twenty pounds 
also a Highway tax for Fifty Pounds were assessed and the 
bill delivered to Thomas Hill to collect, a copy of which is 
on file. Valuation 4400 Pounds. 

Agreeable to warrant the Freeholder and other inhabi- 
tants met at the house of John Gubtail on Monday the 5th 
day of March 1790 for the purpose of choosing Governor, 
Lieut. Gov. and senator. Upon counting the assorted votes 
it appeared that 

John Hancock for Gov. had 21 votes. 

Samuel Adams for Lt. Gov. had 18 votes. 

Alex. Campbell for Senator had 27 votes. 

Meeting dissolved. 

The first town meeting was held May 31st, 1793, of 
which there is the following record: 

At a legal meeting on the 31st day of May, 1793. 
Voted that four school houses should be built within the 
town, 

Voted that there should be a committee of four to see 
that said School Houses be built; Viz.: — Thomas Hill for 
the western ward; Thomas Gubtail for the center ward; 
Samuel Joy for the eastern ward; Abijah Cole for the 
southern ward. 

Voted that the committee take work or material from 
the inhabitants which shall be allowed them in their tax to 
be raised for building the school houses. 

Voted that the committee shall have power to determine 
where the houses shall be built if the different wards do 
not agree. 

20 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Voted that the selectmen are impowered to lay out any 
necessary road within the town in addition to the one voted 
in April from Prospect. 

Meeting dissolved. 

A true record of the proceedings. 

Attest : A. W. Kidston. 

(The road mentioned was from Prospect Harbor to the 
County Road.) 



In June 1794, the town extended a vote of thanks to 
Mr. Thomas Holland, "for his faithful attention to the 
instruction and moral of the Youth, which have been com- 
mitted to his care." 

November 5, 1795, the tax is first recorded in dollars 
and cents. It is learned that in June 14, 1794, there were 
66 polls. 

Moses Goodwin's tax was five shillings, Benjamin 
Sargent's was seven shillings and that of Aaron Rolf was 
six shillings and six pence. 




21 



GEN. DAVID COBB. 



FROM 1795 to 1820, for a quarter of a century, Gen. 
Cobb was the most conspicuous and influential citizen 
of Eastern Maine, possibly of the state. 

David Cobb was the son of Thomas and Lydia Cobb of 
Attleborough, Mass. and was born September 14, 1748. 
He v/as fitted for college by Joseph Marsh, Jr., of Brain- 
tree, Mass., who had a classical or Latin private school 
therefrom 1740 to 1762. Young Cobb studied medicine 
with Dr. Perkins and was engaged in successful practice 
when the Revolutionary movement began. 

In 1766 Mr. Cobb graduated from Harvard college, 
settled at Taunton and married Eleanor Bradish of Cam- 
bridge, Mass. He was elected representative to the 
General Court in 1774, as a colleague with his brother-in- 
law Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. 

In 1777. Mr. Cobb entered the army as lieutenant- 
colonel of the Sixteenth Massachusetts regiment, of which 
Henry Jackson was colonel. He saw hard service at 
Springfield, N. J., at Monmouth and at Quaker Hill, R. I. 
where he led what may be termed "a forlorn hope" to delay 
the progress of the Hessian cavalry. His activity, talent 
and high military qualities attracted the attention of 

22 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Washington, who, on June 15th, 1781, appointed him an 
aide, in which capacity he assisted in the capture of 
Cornwallis. 

He remained in this position until 1784. having also 
been commissioned lieutenant-colonel commanding the 5th 
regiment (late Rufus Putnam) 7th January, 1783, and a 
brigade-general by brevet. After the close of the v/ar 
he went to Mount Vernon as a member of Gen. Washing- 
ton's military family. 

Next to the high personal regard for the General, was 
his great admiration of Lady Washington, whom he was 
fond of quoting as his beau ideal of womanly grace and 
loveliness. It is said Gen. Washington usually retired to 
his library from the dinner table, where he often engaged 
in social conversation. On one occasion when Col. Cobb 
was with him there, Gen. Washington broke the silence by 
saying he felt a great solicitude about the prospects of the 
people of Massachusetts. 

"The climate," said he, "is cold and trying, the soil 
sterile and unproductive. The best crop would be of stones; 
you can raise a few onions, perhaps but little else. While 
we in Virginia are favored with a most salubrious climate 
and with a soil as rich and productive as the sun ever shown 
upon," 

Col. Cobb replied: "Sir, we have our heads and our 
hands." 

Gen. Washington then smiled, an unusual thing for him 
to do. What would New England, with its cold and 
inhospitable climate, and uninviting soil have been to day 
but for the heads and hands of its inhabitants, in early days. 

Cobb returned to Taunton in 1784 and resumed the 
practice of medicine. The state needed his service. In 
1784 he was appointed chief justice of the Court of 

23 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Common Pleas for Bristol county, an office which he held 
for about eight years. 

In 1785, he was elected major-general of the Fifth 
Division of Massachusetts militia. In 1786 a local insur- 
rection took place in Eastern Massachusetts which was 
particularly aimed at the courts. In June the itiob attempted 
to prevent the holding of Judge Cobb's court. He 
ordered the militia out and addressed the mob: "Away 
with your whining," was his determined and memorable 
reply, "I will hold this court if I hold it in blood. I will sit 
as a judge or I will die as a general." In an instant all was 
quieted. 

In 1789, Judge Cobb was elected representative to the 
General Court, and for that year and three more years was 
Speaker of the House. In 1792 he was appointed as com- 
missioner to run the boundary line between Massachusetts 
and Rhode Island, a matter which had been in dispute for 
more than 150 years. In 1793 he became a member of 
the Third Congress. In 1795 was appointed agent of the 
great Bingham estate in Eastern Maine. In July 1796, he 
removed to Gouldsboro and built a house at Gouldsboro 
Point which was torn down when the present house of 
Bingham Whittaker was erected. An English cannon ball 
was found in its wall, a trophy of a ravage of the coast. 

Gen. Cobb's home was most hospitable. There Gen. 
Knox, Gen. Henry Jackson, William Bingham, the principal 
owner of the Bingham estate and others visited him. 

The roads of that time were few and bad, and the ocean 
was the great highway for travellers. Few men of any note 
passed by without calling upon Gen. Cobb. Upon his 
arrival at Gouldsborough he at once commenced great 
enterprises, which he hoped would benefit both proprietors 
and settlers. He laid out miles of roads in the town and 

24 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

northerly of it on lands of the estate. Some of these roads 
were built. 

General Cobb built wharves, storehouses, saw mills and 
ships, and for a time shipped large quantities of lumber to 
the West Indies. He was passionately fond of agricultural 
pursuits and spent much time and money in promoting that 
interest. He fondly hoped to found a city at Gouldsboro, 
but business and settlers went to other towns, Ellsworth, 
Steuben, Narraguagus River and further to the eastward. 
The city of his ambition faded away like a dream, and is 
now almost as much a myth as Norumbega on the Penob- 
scot. With all his business cares the interests of the 
District of Maine made constant demands upon him. He 
was Senator from Hancock county in 1801-5, acting as 
President of the Senate. 

In 1803 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Court 
of Common Pleas for Hancock County, and held his court 
at Castine until 1809. (His son Thomas served at Castine 
as Register of Deeds.) In 1804, he headed the Federal 
electoral ticket of Massachusetts, as candidate at large. 

A Federalist in politics he was distinguished for his 
love of order and attachment to the Constitution. As the 
presiding officer of a public body he was unrivaled, grace- 
ful and dignified in his deportment. He attended court in 
Revolutionary attire: tri-colored hat, broad backed coat, a 
single breasted jacket with pocket flaps, breeches with 
bands and buckles at the knee, and high white top boots. 

Gen. Cobb despatched the public business with ease and 
faculty, and won by his impartial performance of the chair 
the praise even of his adversaries. Hon. Joseph W. 
Williamson, of Belfast, Me., thus describes the general's 
appearance and manner: 

"In stature he was large, and had a full face and over- 

25 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

awing eye. He was hasty in temper, expressed himself 
with much energy, and a most commanding voice. I have 
heard him order a lawyer to silence, and to his seat, with a 
power of voice and feeling that was almost overwhelming. 
On a certain occasion, supposing that an attorney at the 
bar was guilty of a fraudulent act, he exclaimed with great 
force while on the bench, "A dishonest lawyer 1 He is worse 
than the devil for he violates personal confidence and a 
sacred oath 1" 

Gen. Cobb was major-general of the Fifth Division of 
Mass. militia in the District of Maine for several years 
before 1814, when he was succeeded by John Blake, of 
Brewer. He was lieutenant-governor of Mass. in 1809 
and was defeated as a candidate for re-election. He v/as 
supreme executive councilor for the district of which 
Hancock county was a part for 1805, 1808, 1812, 1813, 
1814, 1815, 1817. That office seems always to have 
been kept open for him. In 1820, the management of the 
Bingham estate passed into the hands of his son-in-law, 
Col. John Black of Ellsworth. Being in feeble health 
Gen. Cobb returned to Taunton with his children, January 
8, 1808. Mrs. Cobb died while visiting at Taunton. 
Gen. Cobb's widowed daughter, Mrs. Betsy Smith, 
came to Gouldsboro, as her father's faithful house- 
keeper. When he left here he left his books, papers 
and a diary kept through the Revolution, now in pos- 
session of his great-grandson. George N. Black, of Boston, 
and another diary of his life at Gouldsboro, in possession 
of some eastern descendant. (A portion of the latter 
is here presented through the kindness of Miss Mary 
Black, a great grand-daughter of Gen. Cobb, she having 
saved the copy from a Maine paper.) After his removal 
to Taunton, Gen. Cobb took much interest in public affairs 

26 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
and remembered with peculiar satisfaction his residence 
in Maine. 

Gen. Cobb received the honorary degree of Master of 
Arts from New Jersey College in 1783, and from Brown 
University in 1790; was a member of the American Acad- 
emy of Arts and Sciences and of the Mass. Medical Society, 
also Vice President of the Massachusetts society of the 
Cincinnati in 1810. 

Gen. Cobb was founder of Taunton Academy. When- 
ever any public good was to be effected he was active and 
efficient. In 1829 he removed to the Massachusetts 
General Hospital in Boston, of which he was one of the 
founders, to spend the remainder of his life there. He died 
April 17, 1830 and desired to be taken out of the back door 
of hospital and buried without pomp and ceremony. 

He was buried at Taunton beside his wife. A monument 
has been erected. to their memory. 

His will of February 18, 1829, was proved in Hancock 
county (a large part of his property being still there) 
August 18, 1830. The trustees of his will, were his sons, 
Thomas and D. G. W., of Taunton, his sons-in-law, Judge 
Samuel S Wilde, of Boston, and Col. John Black, of 
Ellsworth. As a matter of fact it seems Col. Black settled 
the estate. General and Mrs. Cobb had eleven children, 
of whom six died in Maine, two in the Northwest and three 
in Massachusetts. 

In religion Gen. Cobb was a Congregationalist. This 
sketch of this eminent Maine citizen, executive councillor, 
general, judge, lieutenant-governor, and senator is given in 
order that the people of Maine may hold him in remem- 
brance. His poitrait hangs in the Senate chamber at 
Boston, over which body he presided four years. There is 
nothing in or about that portrait to remind the beholder that 

27 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

when Gen. Cobb presided over that body he was a citizen 
of Gouldsboro. Let us who hear this sketch (from 
material collected by Col. Joseph W. Porter and Miss 
Mary N, Black) perpetuate his memory in Gouldsboro by 
manifesting that same integrity, patriotism, and indomitable 
energy exercised by the nobility of the man who saw his 
hopes blasted but in his civic position performed service of 
untold value in those early days. 




28 




EXTRACTS FROM GEN, COBB'S DIARY. 



"Boston, December 1795. — Mr. Baring (Alexander 
Baring, afterward Lord Ashburton wlio married a daughter 
of William Bingham) to whom I delivered the letter from 
Mr. Bingham, (William Bingham of Philadelphia, United 
States senator, purchaser of the Bingham Purchase in 
Maine) wrote a letter to Mrs. Cobb, that went by the stage 
this evening, informing of my arrival here." (Until Thurs- 
day 31st, Gen. Cobb's time from 26th was spent with 
business relative to the Bingham estate.) 

"Thursday 31st. — Wrote a Letter to Mrs. Cobb, 
made arrangements for paying carpenters and took an early 
dinner at John Codman's, at two o'clock in company with 
Codman and Mr. Baring, I set off in the mail stage for New 
York, arrived for the night at Flagg's at Weston. 

"Friday, 1st Jan. 1796, — at six o'clock we were in 
the stage: breakfasted at Marlborough, dined at Worcester, 
put up at Brookfield, Hitchcock's for the night. 

"Saturday 2nd. — Pursued our journey through Spring- 
field, dined at Sheffield; to Hartford at night. 

"Sunday 3d. — This day we remained at Hartford 
and worshipped with Parson Strong ; teaed with Col. 
Wardsworth. 

"Monday 4th. — Pursued our journey at five o'clock 

29 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

this morning, breakfasted at Middleton, dined at New 
Haven, and reached Staffords at night, Lovejoy's. 

"Tuesday, 5th. — At five o'clock on board the stage, 
pushing through very deep muddy roads and arrived at night 
at Rye, fifteen miles short of the established Stage House. 

"Wednesday 6th. — Being thirty-one miles from New 
York and the mail to be delivered this morning at ten 
o'clock, made it necessary to commence our journey at 
two o'clock this morning. Very dark and muddy. In the 
course of an hour after we sett off, the Stage was upsett. 
The darkness of the night was such the Driver could not 
distinguish the road ; no damage was done, excepting a 
little bruise on my arm, but was a caution to me not to get 
in the stage again till daybreak and I tediously walked 
through the mud till then. Arrived at New York at eleven 
o'clock, took Quarters at Mrs. Loring's with Mr. Baring; 
the company of this Gent was the reason of my not going 
to the House of my friend Col. Smith. 

"Thursday 7th. — Gen. Knox called upon us this 
morning and in company with him we walked out and called 
upon sundry persons or rather their houses and left cards. 
(Until our departure we were royally entertained.) 

"Wednesday 13th. — This morning at ten o'clock. 
Mr. Baring, myself and Mr. Lincoln, son of the General, 
crossed to P — Hook for Philadelphia reached as far as 
Woodbridge before dark when we put up; as the Roads 
were so horribly bad we determined not to ride after dark 
having had enough already by such a mode of travelling. 
A good house. 

"Thursday 17th. — Proceeded on our journey as 
soon as it was light in the morning and through the worst 
roads I ever passed in my life, we got to Trenton at night. 

"Friday 15th. — On our journey by daylight, crossed 

30 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

the Delav/are, Breakfasted at Bristol and arrived in Phila- 
delphia at three o'clock afternoon and conducted Mr. Baring 
to his quarters. I wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham, inform- 
ing of my arrival ; at the close of the evening at his request, 
I called upon him. He appeared to be happy in seeing me 
and was much satisfied with my conduct. 

"Saturday 16th. — Called upon Bingham at twelve 
o'clock where I found Mr. Baring. They were conversing 
on the subject of the Maine Lands; called upon some of my 
old acquaintance particularly Mr. Brick's family. (17th 
and 18th dined with Bingham.) 

'•Tuesday 19th. — Mr. Bingham called upon me this 
morning. We had a little chat. Went to the President's 
levee; he asked me to dine with him and Mrs. Washington 
which 1 did. I never knew him more amiable in my life. 
It is evident to me he feels the Grubb street villanous treat- 
ment that • has lately poured fourth from some hireling 
presses ; this however, must be borne with, as the usual 
gratitude of a people, however disgraceful it is to human 
nature for the best and greater services. (The time was 
spent in business and socially too.) 

"Wednesday 27th. — Dined with the President in a 
large company of ladies and gents ; went with Mr. Morris 
to the theatre in ye evening." (The following week Gen. 
Cobb was waiting for the contract between Messrs. Baring 
and Bingham to close.) 

"Wednesday 3rd. — All this day at my quarters. In 
the evening visited Bingham ; he informed me of the 
conversation between him and Baring, by which it appeared 
my conjectures of him were justly founded ; i. e. he came 
into this country for the purpose of purchasing of Bingham 
a part of his lands in Maine ; that the purchase price was 
determined upon before he left England, as well as the spot 

31 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

of land he intended to be concerned with, but if he could, 
he was to obtain it a little cheaper. He cannot, however, 
the terms of the purchase are in general agreed to, but 
some little difficulties arise from respecting the price of the 
subsequent purchases adjoining the lower million. They 
will soon disperse and the contract be completed. 

"Friday 12th. — At eight o'clock this morning I took 
leave of my little Quarters in 8th St. and at ten from 
the Stage house 1 sett off to New York ; only reached 
Bristol by night ; the roads were so intolerably bad. 

"Friday 19th. — In a slay at 5 o'clock this morning, 
dined at Springfield and lodged at Palmer. 

"Monday 22d. — Arrived at Boston through a snow 
storm at four o'clock afternoon, and put up at Mr. Archi- 
bald's. (Occupied with business till) 

"Friday 26th. — At nine o'clock this morning set off 
for Taunton where I arrived at four. Happy in finding my 
family in health. 

"Monday 29th. — Hunt returned to Boston this morn- 
ing with Mr. Oliver Leonard (afterward of Brewer, Me.) and 
a Mr. Parsons ; the two last came to see me on the 
subject of Leonards Township. 

"Saturday 5th. — This day evening Col. Jones of 
Gouldsboro arrived here and gave me information of the 
situation of my little Family and concerns there that were 
pleasing ; that my plan for regulating the taking of Lumber 
had gone into complete operation, etc; he stayed with me 
till Thursday the tenth and then returned to Boston. 

"Sunday 6th to Wednesday 9th. — These days were 
chiefly occupied in company with Col. Jones visiting differ- 
ent parts of the town. 

"Tuesday 15th to Sunday 20. — During these days 
I was mostly employed in consulting with the Attorney 

32 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

General, procuring papers from the Secretary's office, etc., 
for his use in the prosecution of the Grantees of Trenton. 

"Monday 21st to Tues. 29th. — During these days 
I had frequent consultations with the Attorney General on 
the subject of the prosecution he was directed to commence 
and with Francis Shaw about the reservations in Gouldsboro, 
his dispute with Jones and the Mill at Musquito Harbor; 
wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham and to Mr. Swan in London. 
The Attorney General has got all his paper with a fee fifty 
dollars, and he commences ye suit at April Term. Shaw 
is too hard to make a bargain with, perhaps 1 may find him 
better disposed when 1 see him again. 

"Friday April 1st. — Received a letter from Mr. 
Bingham with a power of attorney or agency enclosed." 
(Breaking up the home at Taunton, selling estate of his 
fathers' and making preparations for the voyage occupied 
the time with the illness of Gen. Cobb for four weeks in 
April and May. June, plans effected.) 

"Saturday 18th. — This morning at eight o'clock we 
sett sail, with very little wind at W., went down harbour 
of Boston, passed Cape Ann at sun setting. 

"Sunday 19th. — Gentle wind all last night but a rolling 
sea; the ladies and a little son sick. Make no land 
to-day but supposed at night to be off Sequin." (Leaves 
missing until July 5, 1796.) 

"Sunday July 5th, — A day of rest, no news, no arrivals. 
(Gouldsboro.) 

"Monday 6th. — The Laborers with fresh spirits went 
to work on the fences, a tedious job. On my return 
from visiting them I caught two or three dozen trout, which 
I bro't home for my late dinner. Was happy in having the 
company of Mr. O. Leonard from Taunton to dine with me, 
who had arrived in a Schooner in the midst of the Fogg 

33 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

just as I got home. Very foggy with rain and severe 
thunder at night. 

"Thursday 9th, — As it is necessary to have either 
business or pleasure in operation to prevent the mind being 
unemployed, Leonard and myself went fishing in the harbour. 
We caught Tomcods and flounders for our dinners and 
enjoyed them with a dish of large clams at four o'clock. 

"Thursday 16th. — Sett off at six o'clock for Machias 
with Bruce (Thomas Bruce of Machias) and Mr. 
Leonard, lodged at Pleasant River. Left orders with my 
men to persue Haying with activity in my absence. Some 
of the roads very bad. 

"Friday 17th. — Persued our Journey thro' the most 
infernal roads the whole distance and arrived at Machias at 
two o'clock. Judge Stephen Jones and others called upon 
me. Put up at Bowles's. My niece was happy to see me. 

"Saturday 18th. — Conversed with some men who 
want a settlement on one of the interior Eastern Townships. 
Viewed the mills on this branch which are the finest in the 
country; four saws at the dam, and go all the season thro'. 
The quantity of boards they cut is immense. Conversed 
with Judge Jones on the subject of the logs that are cut off 
the lands of the rivers by him and others. I find it will be 
difficult if not impossible to prevent the depredation at 
present, but they may be bro't to pay the same for them as 
is customary on the Kennebec River. Judge Jones, who 
is a large owner of the mills and a man of great 
Influence has promised me to use his endeavors to have 
the business adjusted to my satisfaction. My plan is for 
the Mills to pay so much on every thousand of Boards they 
cutt for the Logs. 1 foresee some difficulty in carrying 
out this plan as the Township on these Branches immedi- 
ately adjoining Machias are not within our purchase." 

34 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

(The Bingham estate in Maine comprised more than 
2,000,000 acres of land.) "I am determined this immense 
destruction of Lumber shall not continue without some 
returns for it, if I am obliged to resort, perhaps to the 
worst remedy, a legal process. Lodged with Col. Stillman. 

"Tuesday 19th. — Came up with Col. Stillman in a 
Canoe from his House to Machias Town. This is the only 
mode of conveyance in this Country as they have no roads. 
It is a matter of great surprise that People of property and 
Influence, whose wealth must be so greatly increased by 
good Roads, pay so little attention to the subject. Roads 
westward from Machias for eighteen miles are infamous. 
Teaed with Bruce and called upon friends. 

"Monday 20th. — After Breakfasting with Judge Jones, 
Mr. Leonard and myself sett off on our return to 
Gouldsboro ; dined late at Pleasant River and by dark 
reached Gen. Campbell's at Narraguagus where we lodged. 
Obtained on my way the number of inhabitants in No. 12. 

"Tuesday 21st. — Passed our Journey leisurely, dined 
with Mr. Townsley at the head of the Eastern Bay, 
fifteen miles from Gouldsboro and reached home at three 
o'clock, where 1 found my men still busy at work on the 
Hay. 

"Wednesday 22d. — Rode up to Gubtail's Farm to 
view the feed; called at Ash's for the girl to be my House 
Keeper, went with old Mr. Thomas Gubtail up the West 
River, Trouting ; caught a dozen of the finest 1 ever see 
and returned with them at night." (This stream is now 
visited by sportsmen.) The next day Robert Ash's daughter 
Abigail, went as housekeeper to Gen. Cobb's. 

"Sunday 26th. — Walked with Mr. O. Leonard around 
the Point, called upon neighbor Moore (Peltiah) and family, 
viewed the Timber trees that are fallen down. etc. 

35 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

"Monday 27th. — Gen. Cobb and Mr. Leonard came to 
W. Gouldsboro, procured a boat of Col. Jones and sett sail 
for Gen Knox's, to see the map, so that Mr. Leonard 
should be better able to choose his Township," 

Thursday 30th — At twelve o'clock they embarked. 
"At night we arrived at Cranberry Islands. The next morn 
at sunrise we left the Islands, passed Bass Harbor, with a 
light wind, arrived at Naskeag Point (Sedgwick) ten o'clock. 
Rain ; lodged on shore, 

"Aug. 1st. — Tide in favor, liftle wind, passed Egger- 
moggin Reach and anchored alongside Pond Island, in 
Penobscot Bay. 

"Aug. 2nd. — With oars and tide we arrived at south end 
of Long Island, at Mr. Wm. Pendleton's. 

"Monday 3rd.— At two o'clock we arrived at Camden, 
, with assistance of our oars, where we procured Horses, and 
by night arrived at Gen. Knox's at St. George's, very happy 
in being under the roof of a Hospitable Friend after five 
day's vexation in fog and calm." (Mr. Leonard decided 
the prospect of a claim on the Penobscot was better for 
him than the Machias one he intended to take. Five days 
were needed to make the return trip.) 

"Thursday 13th — The men were at work on burnt land 
preparing for Rye. The surveyor and two of his chainmen 
were unwell ; the fatigue they suffered in the woods, by the 
heat of the last week had not only made them unfit for 
service, but sickened them against pressing their business 
any further ; they are pidgeon-hearted fellows and they shall 
go home. 

"Friday 14th, — The Workmen are clearing the burnt 
fields of the black Logs, for the purpose of sowing Rye and 
Wheat and Grass seed. This land at present lies in such 
situation that unless it is soon cleared and put to grass, it 

36 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

will be in a measure ruined, but the chief operating reason 
for my undertal^ing, is the example it will be to this part of 
the Country, in which to their disgrace, not a single Farmer 
resides; added to this, by seeing the mode of raising their 
bread and other beneficial branches of culture, they will 
gradually forsake the Lumber (stealing) business and 
thereby add a value to their soil, which at present they 
conceive of no consequence ; they even would not accept of 
the best soil of the World, as a present ; if the Timber was 
off it, thence the burnt grounds which are large in quantity 
and most of them very good for culture are looked upon as 
ruined and mere wastes, by these fellows, and their informa- 
tion has a baneful influence upon all those who visit here 
for purchasing or residing. It is of the first consequence 
that this opinion should be changed and nothing will do it 
but producing the most damning conviction from the soil 
itself, which I will do. 

"Saturday 15th. — Still at work on the burnt fields. 

"Sunday 16th. — All is rest. Messrs. Townsley and 
Holland of Stuben dined with me. 

"Monday 17th. — Again on the burnt field. Five acres 
are cleared for the plow and if I succeed in a Crop I shall 
be as happy as a Farmer ought to be. 

"Tuesday 18th. — The Surveyors and Chainmen being 
unwell from fatigue of late exertions, they obtained discharge 
and sail tomorrow in Brown's Schooner. Wrote to Mrs. 
Cobb, Mr. Bingham and General Jackson. 

"Wednesday 19th. — Yesterday Mr. Sparhawkof Penob- 
scot came here from Col, Jones where he had left Mr. and 
Mrs. Hunnewell and Miss Hall, who had come from 
Penobscot on a party of pleasure, to invite me to a trouting 
party up the West River, but my engagements would not 
permit. This day having finished my correspondence, etc., 

37 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

I went with Hunnewell, who came here for me to Col. Jones'. 
My Surveyor expected to sail this morning. Laborers on 
the black logs. 

"Thursday 20th. — Embarked with the Ladies at Jones' 
in Hunnewell's barge for Union River ; he was returning to 
Penobscot ; the pleasure of his and the Ladies' company 
induced me to take this opportunity to visit the Lands on 
Union River; reached Oak Point at night; thto' rain dis- 
agreeable in boat, Col. Jones with us. My Surveyor and 
men sailed this afternoon from Gouldsboro and took unto 
them ye first Cucumbers of our Garden. 

"Friday 21st. — Went up Union River as far as the 
first Falls, (at Ellsworth) Stopped on the Trenton 
side of the Bay as we went up ; very valuable Lands, 
most of which belong to us and Jones ; these lands 
are certainly worth two dollars per acre, from their Lumber 
and situation ; put up at Jones' Sons near the lower mills ; 
near this in No. 8, is said to be a large quantity of Iron 
Ore. Our departure on account of Tide prevented my 
seeing it at present. 

"Saturday 22nd. — As we returned from Jones's called 
upon Mr. Ross on that side of the River, a gentlemanly 
Scotchman, then proceeded down with intention of calling 
on Mr. Peters (John Peters) of Blue Hill, but wind and 
Tide prevented. Got to Oak Point, our company anxious 
to return to Penobscot and Col. Jones and myself equally 
so to go to Gouldsboro. 

"Sunday 23rd. — Left our friends at Oak Point and 
walked on to the narrows to obtain a conveyance to Goulds- 
boro. Procured a boat at the Narrows and arrived with 
Col. Jones at his House at night. 

"Monday 24th. — Came from Col. Jones early in the 
morning and found my two laborers still at work on the 

38 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

burnt logs ; they have almost finished the Lots I designed 
to clear. First peas from our planting. 

"Tuesday 25th. — Sent a letter to Judge Jones of 
Machias informing him of the arrival of my map, that those 
persons at that place who wish to settle on some back Lands 
might now come to view the place where. Still clearing 
Lands. Clearing the intervale, ploughing lands for Rye 
with Col. Jones' plow and oxen from Gubtail's that got out 
of the pasture at night. In vain the next day the search 
was made, another pair procured but unfortunately they 
were not used to the plow. (A failing nowadays with young 
people.) 

"Monday September 7th. — Still searching for oxen. 
1 went up the Eastern Bay to get my Horse Shod, where I 
dined with Townsley and in returning was overtaken by 
Gen'l Alexander Campbell and Major Wallis, of Narra- 
guagus with whom 1 went to Col. Jones's and stayed ye 
night. 

"Tuesday 8th. — Foggy and rain returned home and 
bro't Gen. Campbell and Major Wallis with me. My men 
had found a yoke of oxen this morning and had them 
chained to the Fence when 1 came home but the rain 
prevented their using them this day. Campbell, Wallis and 
Col. Jones dined with me. Jones returned home, the others 
stayed the night with me. Preparing the Fall work. 

"Saturday 12th. — Agreeable to invitation to some of 
my neighbors, I attended them in mending, a piece of very 
bad road where it passes thro' No. 7 ; finished the business 
and returned at night much fatigued. (Gen. Cobb was on 
the alert for repair of roads.) 

"Sunday 13th.-^Sett off this morning for Col. Jones's, 
who had engaged to go to Penobscot Court ; went from his 
House at one o'clock and arrived at Oak Point in the 

39 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

evening. My intention in visiting Penobscot, separate from 
sliowing myself as an Inhabitant of the County of Hancock, 
and seeing the People of the County, was to see Gen'l Knox 
and Mr. Park Holland the surveyor, both of whom I 
expected to meet there. 

"Monday 14th. — Landed at Blue Hill Bay opposite Mr. 
Peters', walked to the narrows or Bagaduce River and 
embarked in a canoe, in which we went down the River, 
passing three rapids, but the tide meeting us we put ashore 
at Avery's, three miles from Penobscot and lodged the 
night. Moody Brown came to Labor. 

"Tuesday 15th. — After Breakfast we walked to town. 
(Castine) I called upon Mr. Hunnewell, the Sheriff ; Col. 
Jones upon Mr. Lee ; the Gent'n of the Law of my 
acquaintance arrived the last evening from the Westward. 
Gen'l Knox told them he could not attend this week at 
Penobscot, which I was sorry to hear. Dined with the 
Court this day, very decent and respectable. 

"Saturday 19th. — Took leave of our Friends at 
Penobscot to return to Gouldsboro. Walked from the 
Ferry to Mr. Peters at Blue Hill, where we lodged much 
fatigued. 

"Sunday 20th. — Pursued our rout and arrived at Col. 
Jones' in the evening, where I was informed of the arrival 
of Col. Hall, Mr. Tillinghast and a number of men as 
laborers, who came in Brown's Schooner last Tuesday to 
my House; pleasant day. 

"Monday 21st.— Got to my Nest on the Point at ten 
o'clock where I found this addition to my family as men- 
tioned together with my son Thomas, some of the men at 
work clearing Land, others in hewing Timber, at which 
they had been employed since their arrival. If I had known 
of the arrival of these people when at Blue Hill, I should 

40 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

have bro't Mr. Peters the Surveyor with me. I had 
engaged him to be here this week, as I want his services 
in laying out a road north from this, and these laborers are 
now come to work upon it. 

"Tuesday 22d. — Heavy blast from the North without 
much rain. Col, Hall, who bro't with him a Capt. Smith 
from Middleboro sett off to view the Falls, Narraguagus, 
where they propose commencing a settlement at No. 17. 
The laborers at their daily toil. 

"Wed. 23rd. — The gentlemen Col. Jones, Mr. Hall, 
Sheriff Hunnewell guests went Trouting and returned to 
Col. Jones'. The next morn they embarked in a boat for 
Penobscot. Two carpenters arrived, Messrs. Presbuy and 
Coward. An early frost killed Beans, Potatoes and 
Cucumbers. 

"Saturday 26th. — This week I took all the men out 
upon the Road leading from the Point, on which we worked 
the whole day. We made it a little better, but such is the 
state of it that vast labor is necessary to make it good ; 
Mr. (John) Peters, arrived at dinner in Company with Col. 
Jones. I am happy to see him. 

"Sunday 27th. — All at rest except Mr. Peters and 
myself, we rode to view where to begin the Road I intended 
to cut out. 

"Monday 18th. — This morning tho' cloudy and unfair, 
I sett off with the Surveyor and Labourers to begin the new 
road. We commenced it just above Mr. Furnald's 
(Clement) about one mile West of the line of the town of 
Steuben, in No. 7, and pursued a direction North as the 
land would admit ; Showery all day but we continued to 
work till night having completed almost half a mile : 
returned to the Point at night. 

"Tuesday 29th. — Again on the Road; the weather still 

41 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

showery ; the Carpenters preparing the stuff for repairing 
the House, in the barn, and the Mason getting ready to pull 
down the Chimney of the house for to erect it new ; they 
intended to have begun this day, but the weather was 
unfavorable. They are making Mortar. Altho' the weather 
was bad the Road Cutters got forward almost as far as 
yesterday. They returned to the Point at night. Wrote 
letters to General Jackson by Brown's Schooner in which 
is to return Capt. Smith who came with Col. Hall to view 
the Country of the Narraguagus. They returned from that 
Tour last Saturday much pleased with the land. Smith 
will remove his family next Spring if he can obtain some 
cultivated place for their residence, near where he intends 
to commence his improvements. 

"Wednesday 30th. — Mr Peters and the Road Cutters 
went off to their business with an intention to continue in 
the woods for a week. The Mason began pulling down this 
morning. The Family removed to neighbor Godfrey's 
where we cook our food, but we still lodge in our rooms. 
However disagreeble it must be submitted to, till the 
Chimney is finished. Brown sailed for Boston, Capt. 
Smith on board. 

"Thursday Oct. ist. — This morning the Mason began 
laying the foundation of the Chimney. The Carpenters in 
the Barn are getting everything ready for finishing my little 
box in a jerk. (In 1812 an English cannon ball was lodged 
in the wall of this "little box.") The Road Cutters are 
encamped in the Woods where I carried them their dinner 
and found them very alert and merry, pleased with their 
new mode of life. My family is at present large enough : 
seven Road Cutters and Col. Hall their Commander with 
Mr. Peters the Surveyor, all of whom encamp in the 
Woods, two Masons, two Carpenters and ten Labourers at 

42 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
the House, besides Mr. Tillinghast, myself, two sons and 
two Maids. Pleasant day. 

"Friday 2d. — My business going on with great activity; 
every person has his proper business assigned him and all 
appears to be in order. 1 carried my Road Cutters their 
Dinner and dined with them as I have done every day since 
they have been on the business ; they go on with rapidity ; 
two miles are now cleared with cause ways layed and no 
better road in the County. 

•'Saturday 3d. — The Road Cutters, Masons and Car- 
penters regularly pursuing their business. Col. Jones with 
Mr. Parker of Penobscot and Mr. Wilde (Chief Justice 
Samuel S. Wilde) went off this morning for Machias. I 
attended them as far as Tunk Mills ; on an eminence near 
which Mr. Peters and myself took a view of the ground 
over which we supposed it probable the Road now cutting 
will pass. (The road and farm work progressed well.) Col. 
Hall had to leave for a time, business taking him Westward. 
Mr. Townley took his place. Messrs. Wild and Parker 
returned from Machias. After dinner we went to Col. 
Jones, where we lodged. Parker and Wild sailed for 
Penobscot in the morning. 

"Saturday 17th. — Brown's schooner arrived this morn- 
ing from Boston which she left Monday ; to my great 
disappointment bro't nothing for me. Col. Jones and Mr. 
Pagan (Robert Pagan of St Andrews) arrived at Dinner; 
Pagan stayed the night, Jones returned. 

"Sunday 18th. — This morning 1 rode with Mr. Pagan, 
who is on his way to St. Andrews ; as far as Townley's in 
Stuben, where I stopped and then returned to the Point 
with Townley who dined with men. The Road Cutters 
came in this morning to see us and will return at evening to 
their Hutt. 

43 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

"Monday i9th. — I went to view the Road now seven 
miles distant ; they penetrate the Forest very well, Townley 
their leader, went home sick on Saturday ; Macomber a 
good fellow, I have appointed in his place. They have a 
very good Hutt, which being covered with boards, now 
shelters them from all weather ; they wait the return of 
Townley to lay the cover of their new bridge ; At present 
we pass on string pieces. 

"Tuesday 20th, — The Labourers this day finished the 
Potatoes that they have put into the Hole for the winter. 
This cellar is closed up and secured against the cold ; it 
contains about two hundred bushels. The rest of the 
Potatoes are put in the Barn for the use of the Cattle for 
the present, and into the cellar for the use of the Family. 

"Wednesday 21st. — Went over with Townley whom I 
have requested to Superintend the business, to view the 
Great Marshes. (This was the property of Gen. Cobb, 
afterward a part bought by one of his laborers, Jerry Tracy.) 
People are at work on them cutting and stacking their hay. 
It is not so well mowed as it ought to be ; care must be 
taken with this marsh and .^.ome expense laid out on it, for 
ditching etc. When 1 returned home I found Mr. Holland, 
the surveyor, who had come from Penobscot to see me ; 
his friend Capt. Mandeville arrived this morning ; he is a 
farming Gentleman from the County of Hampshire and has 
come here to purchase two or more Townships in the 
northern part of this million acre and Holland is concerned 
with him. 1 gave them my terms for two Townships which 
were 3-6 per acre and seventy settlers in seven years on 
each. Mandeville said it was much dearer than he 
expected and the number of settlers were too great ; they 
could agree to the terms ; they said they wanted the Town- 
ships for a number of young men of their Country to settle 

44 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

upon and pretended that Hundreds were engaged in the 
purchase ; then why startle at seventy settlers upon a 
Township, their object is speculation, more than settling 
and Holland is deeply concerned in the business. I advised 
Capt. Mandeville to go up the River and view the Lands ; 
perhaps his opinion would change on seeing them or perhaps 
mine would by the time I should see him in Boston next 
winter. From the conversation I had with Holland at 
Penobscot Court I supposed he Intended on his return from 
Boston to come here and join me as a surveyor, I find 
his object is quite different ; he intends to continue in the 
Surveying Line, occasionally to speculate wherever he has 
opportunity, which his profession always affords ; he is a 
good fellow, but a little too cunning. They returned to 
Frenchman's Bay this evening. The potatoes were finished 
this day and are secured. Work progresses as well as 
usual. 

"Sunday 25th. — The Road Cutters from the Woods 
returned this mornnig ; they came in on this day to get 
themselves clean clothes and return at night. I dined at 
Col. Jones's this day and stayed the night. 

"Monday 27th. — Before I came from Jones's this 
morning I wrote a letter to Gen. Knox by the post; my 
particular object in going to Jones's was to get his opinion 
of the value of the old Saw Mill for the ensuing year as I 
had been offered a sum for the use of her, that I thought 
too low ; he engaged to give me 20 M. of boards which was 
four fimes as much as I had been offered ; and likewise to 
make enquiries about some mills that cut their Logs from 
the West side of No. 7 and also to make some arrange- 
ments v/ith him to prevent Trespasses being committed on 
the Trenton Lands, of which he owns a part ; returned to 
the point in the forenoon. Two of my labourers were 

45 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

preparing to take passage for returning Westward the other 
was ennployed assisting Carpenters. 

"Tuesday 27th. — Last eve one of my Road Cutters 
came home under pretence of sickness ; this morning two 
more came in, same excuse ; they wanted to go home in 
the vessel that sailed for Boston. In the course of the day 
I had heard that these fellows, with one or more had stop'd 
at a House on Sunday eve, on their way to their Hutt and 
having with them Rum and provisions for three days. They 
drank up the Rum in company with the owner of the House 
and lay drunk Ihere all night. The Commander of the 
Party did not unfortunately go from the Point 'till Monday 
morning. Being acquainted with these circumstances. 
I told them when they applied to go home, that they might 
go and welcome, for I wished to have no dealings with a 
set of deceiving, drunken, mischief making Rascals ; that 
1 would pay them nothing for what they had done and I 
would prosecute them for damages in not complying with 
the terms of their engagements when they came into my 
service. To those who complained of being unwell, I told 
them they were deceiving villians, their sickness was fained, 
that it was no unusual trick for Yankees to make such 
excuses and that I would not be imposed upon by such 
scoundrels ; they would depart from this place. The Gun- 
dalo's went to the Marsh to bring my Hay. Mr. Peters the 
Surveyor arrived this evening. 

"Wednesday 28th. — The Malcontents of yesterday, 
came to me this morning and promised that if I would for- 
give them they would go to work with faithfulness and never 
be guilty of the like bad conduct in future. They would 
behave peaceably and remain the term for which they were 
engaged, if I would permit it. To one of them who had 
been constantly a mutineer, I observed he was so great a 

46 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
villain I much doubted the sincerity of his repentance, but 
I would make a farther trial, on his present promises and if 
he now deceived me he should have no mercy. They 
returned to their work in the Woods. Mr. Peters surveyed 
the shore of the Point ; The Gundalo returned with a load 
of Hay from the Marshes. 

"Thursday 29th. — Mr. Peters and my son went to the 
Road Cutters. Peters will stay with them. The Gundalo 
went to the Marshes and returned at night with another 
Load of Hay. Col. Jones with his Sister and Daughter, 
and Mr. Townley and wife came and dined with the Road 
Cutters, Mr. Peters and my son. 

"Friday 30th. — Last Wednesday another of my Fatt 
Oxen was killed ; one of Shaws ; he weighed : 

125 

140 

116 

122 Quarters 



66 Hide 
34 Tallow 



603 
No particular occurrence ; the Carpenters to finish their 
labor. 

"Saturday 31st. — I am clearing away the rubbish 
about the House and graveling it. The Workmen at their 
several employments. 

"Sunday, Nov. 1st. — Two of my Workmen who had 
been with me thro' the season embarked this evening for 
their return to the Westward ; wrote to Gen'l Jackson and 
Mrs. Cobb. My Road Cutters from the Woods came in 
this morning and returned in the evening to their Hutt. 

47 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

"Monday 2d. — The Surveyors, Mr. Peters and Mr. 
Townley, had met with difficulty in passing the Road in the 
direction I wished it, and from their reconnoitering they 
supposed it must go a circuitous route that I very much 
disliked. As I felt myself engaged in this business I was 
determined to examine for myself and accordingly this 
morning I sett off with these Reconnoiters for the Woods 
and lodged this night with the Road Cutters. Much fatigued 
with this march. 

"Tuesday 3d. — At sunrise this morning we proceeded 
on our Tour into the Forest, having a Brandy bottle, a 
small piece of pork and some biskitts in my pocket. We 
traversed the rout where they supposed the Road must go 
into circuitous direction and found in No. 10, that if ulti- 
mately, it must go that course, it will carry us much farther 
out of our way, than they before had any conception of and 
even then it must pass with difficulty. We passed between 
the Round and Long Ponds, so called, which empty by 
different passages into Tunk River. The Long Pond lies 
in No. 10; the other pond lies in three Townships, No. 4 
7 and 10. On the N. E. side of it, in No. 10, from a 
mountain of Rock, we had a delightful view to the North 
and East. It appears to be a very level Country and most 
of the wood is hard, which at this Season is very distinguish- 
able ; we descended the East side of this mountain to Tunk 
River and passed down it to the Great Falls, charming mill 
sites. The N. E. corner of No. 10, is only fifteen or 
twenty rods above them upon the western bank of the River 
and they are almost one mile east of the bounds of No. 7. 
They are in No. 4 now Stuben, and ought to belong to the 
purchase of the Townships above. We camped just below 
these Falls for the night. Our Hutt was built of bushes, 
with a large fire at our feet, where after eating pork and 

48 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

biskett and drinking our Brandy, we slept comfortably in 
eur Great Coats during the night. 

"Wednesday 4th. — With the dawn we pursued our 
rout to examine between the Round Pond and Tunk River, 
which was supposed to be impassible for the Road by 
reason of Heath and Meadows; and after running down the 
Brook that comes out of the Pond, thro' the Heath we 
came to a small neck of hard land that separates the Heath 
from the Meadow. Both sides of the Brook here as good 
land for the Road as can be and in the very direction I 
wished for. After making the discovery, I laughed at my 
Surveyor and his attendant for trusting too much to hearsay 
and report without examining for themselves and then 
returned to the Road Cutters' Hutt where we arrived at 
twelve o'clock and where, with an appetite that foregoes all 
choice, I feasted on minced fish and potatoes, then marched 
off for the point which I reached by sunset fatigued enough. 
The letters from Gen'l Knox and Mr. Bingham, which came 
by express last Monday, were waiting for me; Those 
letters contained directions for me to wind up my affairs 
and proceedings here as soon as possible and to repair to 
Philadelphia, with all speed. This I shall do, but some 
little time will be taken up in returning the Road Cutters to 
the Westward. It will not do for me to depart 'till they are 
gone, and I shair improve the first conveyance for this 
purpose. 

"Thursday 5th. — Making arrangements in my mind 
how with the least expense to the Proprietor I can leave 
this place. The surveyor marked the road to the Brook 
and came in. My House not sufficiently secured for the 
Winter; the Carpenters must remain for awhile. 

"Friday 6th. — One of the Masons came this morning 
and began preparing the mortar for plastering, I walked 

49 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

over to Col. Jones to make inquiry after a vessel said to be 
bound from Mount Desert to Boston. The vessel from the 
Mount will not sail 'till after next week. 

"Saturday 8th.- — Wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham per 
post in which I informed him, I should be off from here in 
a week and that I would be in Philadelphia in a month. 

Wednesday 11th. — The Workmen are finishing the 
little House very rapidly; three little rooms, one laythed 
and two of them will be plastered to-morrow ; the Road 
Cutters went on to their Hutt this Day to bring off their 
axes, blankets and cooking utensils. I hear of no better 
conveyance for the Road Cutters than the fishing schooner ; 
I am fearful I shall not arrange the Log cutting business in 
so good a manner as I wished, as it is so difficult to get 
Trusty characters here to attend to it ; they are all con- 
cerned in the plunder ; I wrote to Jackson to send me an 
account of what had been purchased of Shaw of Gouldsboro, 
for the plunder is eqully great here as elsewhere and ought 
particularly to be preserved, but 1 can get no returns. 
Severe blast at S. W. with rain. 

"Saturday 14th. — Settled this morning the accounts 
of the road cutters and others. Col. Jones and Mr. Towns- 
ley came at my request and dined with me. These 
gentlemen 1 have engaged to superintend the lumber of the 
lands and 1 have assigned to each the limits of their juris- 
diction. They have assured me of their determinations to 
persue their business with the utmost fidelity and alertness. 
If they do they will serve me much better than many other 
characters, for, having been long concerned in their business 
themselves, they are better able to detect the roguery of 
those who now persue it. The provisions etc., are on 
board the schooner for the use of the men in their voyage up. 

"Sunday 15th. — This morning I gave to Townsley his 

50 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Instructions and Letters to sundry characters on whom he 
can call for advice and assistance in the prosecution of the 
business entrusted to him. I delivered to my Son all the 
Keys and Papers that he will want, with an invoice of my 
Furniture and Stores and then with my traveling Trunk on 
a Horse, 1 bid adieu to my little Family and my Friends 
on the Point and sett off for Col. Jones'. Townsley 
attended me. The Road Cutters will embark this after- 
noon, if the wind should come fair ; the two carpenters from 
the Westward will remain for a fortnight longer to finish as 
much as they can of the inside of the House ; they will 
then return with Mr. Tillinghast, a young Trader there, into 
whose care 1 have put them. The other Carpenters and 
the two Plasterers will finish their work by Thursday next ; 
arrived at Jones's to a late Dinner. 

"Monday 16th. — This morning I went with Jones to 
view Mosquito Harbour Mill. This mill is built by Jones 
on (Francis) Shaw's part of Gouldsboro and 1 suppose 
belongs to the purchase from Shaw. Jones has been 
ejected by Shaw from the possession of the mill but they 
have referred whether Jones shall receive anything for the 
Mill more than the value of the Logs he has already taken 
from Shaw's land ; this Harbour (Winter) is beautiful and 
better adapted to the fisheries than any in the Country ; the 
Land good and the Mill well situated. 1 imagine that 
Jones' intention in bringing me here was to interest me in 
the settlement of this business with Shaw which he very 
much wishes to have done, so as to save five or six 
hundred dollars to himself for the Mill. If this business is 
to be settled in an amicable manner, I should think he 
ought to receive something. The Mill is new and in fine 
order; returned to Jones's House at three o'clock. 

"Tuesday 17th. — This morning early, Col. Jones, Mr. 

51 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Forbes, of Penobscot, and myself embarked in a small 
boat to Blue Hill with an intention to discover some Coaster 
bound to the Westward, on board of which I might embark 
for Boston. We arrived at Blue Hill at night where a 
schooner would be ready to sail in two or three days. I 
engaged this conveyance as it would be a certainty. Had 
I gone to Penobscot as I intended 1 should probably have 
been there detained a week and that an uncertainty ; now 1 
am sure. Lodged this night at old Capt. Woods ; Jones and 
Forbes went to Robert Parker's. 

"Wednesday 18th. — Walked to Mrs. Robert Parker's 
with Jones and Forbes, who came to see me this morning, 
where we dined ; from thence we walked to the head of the 
Bay, where I left my company and went on to Mr. Peters 
with whom 1 lodged the night. This town of Blue Hill has 
the best Farms of any East of Penobscot and they will 
shortly supply ten times their number with the necessaries 
of life ; large quantities of Beef, Grain, Butter and Cheese 
are now exported from this little settlement ; 650 bus. of 
Rye was raised this year from their Ministerial and School 
Lots, from sowing twenty-one and one-half bushels. This 
they have just sold for a dollar per bushel. A number of 
the Farmers have cut from twenty to fifty Tons of English 
Hay and Robert Parker has cut this year 100 Tons; he 
has the best Grass and Grazing Farm I ever saw ; indeed 
almost the whole of this Eastern Country admits of the 
same kind of improvement and Farmers are only wanted 
to effect it. 

"Thursday 19th. — Walked with Mr. Peters over 
different parts of his Farm and to a neighbouring Farm 
among the Rocks, where their neighbors from three and 
one-half acres cuts twelve tons of English Hay annually ; 
his old wife, (the mother of John A. Peters) looks very neat 

52 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

and I bo't a tub of Butter of her. I took my Thanksgiving 
Dinner with Peters and with Parker and Forbes, who came 
to see me. I returned to Parker's House and from there 
to my old quarters at Capt. (Joseph) Woods at night, 
v/here I shall be at hand for the Schooner whenever she is 
ready. Col. Jones returned this morning to Gouldsboro. 
By Mr. Forbes, who goes to-morrow, I have sent a letter 
to Mr. Wilde at Warren, my Deed of Land on the Andros- 
coggin River, for him to get recorded, and to settle with 
the settlers for the same. Forbes was requested to deliver 
it to Mr. Parker for him to forward it. 

"Saturday 21st. — Still at Capt. Wood's and reflect- 
ing upon the state in which I had left my Gouldsboro con- 
cerns. 1 am rather pleased with the review. The subject 
about which I was most anxious I have left in a tolerably 
good train, though not so well as I intended. I mean the 
log stealing business, but if it is executed as well as it is 
planned there will be a large saving out of his plunder. Mr. 
Townsley one of my agents in this business I make depend- 
ent upon the others ; I have no further dependence upon 
than his interest being so immediately connected with mine 
in the business. Capt. Hall on Mount Desert, and Major 
(Meletiah) Jordan on Union River, will be some check 
upon Jones, as he will be upon them. My other affairs are 
left with miy son who is the Master of the Family, and 1 
have no doubt he will do well, having a Servant Man and 
Maid for the service of his Family. 

"Sunday 22d. — This morning very early with a brisk 
wind at N. E. the Schooner came in from Union River, 1 
embarked on board of her and sailed from this place at ten 
o'clock; the gale kept increasing with rain and snow and the 
wind howling to the northward prevented our going up the 
Reach which we attempted two or three times and obliged 

53 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
US to come too off Naskeag Point just within the Reach 
where in the midst of a severe gale with snow and rain, we 
rowed out the rest of the day and the night following. 

"Monday 23d. — Still at our mooring, the wind blowing 
a gale at N. W. 

"Tuesday 24th. — The wind the same as yesterday, but 
toward night coming more gentle we got under way at young 
flood and beat up the Reach as long as the flood lasted ; 
came too about four miles from our last mooring, 

"Wednesday 25th. — At day dawn this morning with a 
gentle wind at N. W. we got under way again ; beating and 
having passed the Reach the wind freshened upon us. We 
ran across Penobscot Bay, through Owl's Head Harbor, the 
Muscle Ledges, White Head and beat into Tenant's Harbor 
by ten o'clock at night, where we anchored ; fresh gale. 

"Thursday 26th.— At Tenant's Harbor ; the wind blow- 
ing fresh and at N. W. ; at seven o'clock in the evening it 
came to the N,; we got under way, a fine clear sky and 
moonshine ; in the course of the night it blew very heavy, 
which obliged the taking in our light sails. 

"Friday 27th. — At daylight this morning we were off 
Cape Elizabeth, having run thirty leagues in the course of 
the night ; the day mostly calm, at night we were off 
Portsmouth. 

"Saturday 28th. — Having continued under sail the 
night with gentle wind and fine moon, by sun rising this 
morning we were up with Cape Ann Light House ; between 
which and the half way Rock, by reason of calm, we con- 
tinued thro' the day. At seven o'clock the wind sprung up 
from the northward and at one o'clock in the morning we 
anchored off Long Wharf in Boston. 

"Sunday 29th. — At the Dawn 1 was put on shore at 
Foster's wharf and walked to my old quarters at Mrs. 

54 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Archibald's where to my great disappointment I found that 
my friend General Jackson in company with General Knox 
was gone to Philadelphia. After breakfast I called upon 
Mrs. J. C. Jones and Mrs. M. M. Hayes and intended to 
have called upon my old friend Mr. Russell but his sudden 
death the last night deprived me of that pleasure and ex- 
cited such painful feelings as prevent my ever calling upon 
the family. I dined at M. M. Hayes' and at ten o'clock 
retired to my quarters. (One of Gen. Cobb's daughters was 
ill and he went from home not to return until after the 
funeral. Her name was not mentioned in his presence.) 

"Monday 30th. — This morning before sun rising I set 
off in a Hack for Taunton where I arrived at three o'clock, 
happy in seeing my family in health, after an absence of 
more than six months. 

"Tuesday, December 1st. — A fine pleasant day; visited 
old friends around me ; went to see the new building de- 
signed for Academy and much pleased in seeing this child 
of mine in such forwardness for commencing useful 
instruction." 




55 





















* 


r* Wm iiPiSSF'SimSf ilW*BHfi'=H;iFf it'EH ;:l--i„i i^m a.-'Si-l ;«- *! Kr^srtFi;fH=£f-'*» -X W 







THE COBB MARSH. 



ELEAZER ROSEBROOK, of Guildhall, Vermont, was 
one of Gen. Cobb's farnn hands, aiding the General 
to turn stones into bread. He nnarried Harriet, a daughter 
of Nahum Guptill and bought a portion of the " Marsh " 
of Gen. Cobb, Some years later his daughter Eliza, 
one of eleven children, served the Gen. as housemaid, 
receiving fifty cents in Winter and four shillings in 
Summer. 

Jeremiah Tracy, son of Asa, worked seven years as the 
General's farm laborer. He bought the homestead and ten 
acres of Salt Marsh of Gen. Cobb. A two-story house had 
been built but had blown down in a severe gale. The new 
owner built a house of one story. On January 20, 1833, 
Jeremiah Tracy and Eliza Rosebrook were united in marriage 
and settled at the " Marsh." ever known as " the half-way 
house." 

The life of this family is recorded as a sample of the 
duties of a wife and mother in early days. 

Eliza Rosebrook in her two years service earned her 
wearing apparel and saved from the wages stated, enough 
money to buy the material for her table linen, bed clothes 
and spreads ; also her dishes aud the trosseau. The dress 
was what would be called crepon at this day ; a nice light 

56 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

colored silk, made yoke and belt (the buckle being ivory,) 
and skirt three straight breadths. 

Besides the usual housework in Gen. Cobb's home, 
Eliza, the maid, milked six cows, did the spinning and 
weaving. Eliza, the mother, had her own looms in the ell 
chamber and for the seven children that in due time com- 
posed the family, she wove cloth from cotton warp colored 
blue and yarn filling red. The summer suits were drilling 
for the boys and the three girls each season had one new 
calico dress, also a pair of fifty-cent slippers. In the Fall 
Mr. Foster Hill of West Gouldsboro (a well known shoe- 
maker) went to repair boots, make a new pair of cowhides 
for the girls and long legged boots for the boys. 

On Sunday the family with many others attended Divine 
service at the old Town House, Gouldsboro, starting in the 
morning with their lunch (there were two services) and 
slippers and stockings in their hands in Summer, until the 
"Old Pound" was reached (where now stands FuUington 
Whittaker's house.) Here they sat down, dressed their 
feet and entered the place of worship on the opposite side 
of the road. After service the rear of the Pound was 
again utilized as a dressing room, whence the girls proceeded 
homeward on nature's sandals. 

The Cobb-Tracy house is about half way from Prospect 
Harbor to Gouldsboro and has always afforded kind hos- 
pitality to many a wayfarer even to the present day. 



57 




GOULDSBORO POINT. 



JONATHAN Tracy came to old Falmouth, now Portland, 
in 1742-3, from Preston, Conn. The first of August, 
1762, he moved to Gouldsboro, Maine, induced by the 
proprietors by offers of free grants of three lots of land for 
himself and one for each of his sons. Jonathan Tracy's 
place was at Gouldsboro Point where now is held the annual 
August picnic of the multi-numerous family. Jonathan 
Tracy was a well educated man. He died at Steuben, 
Maine, 1796, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lydia 
Leighton. His son, Asa, settled on the adjacent Eastern 
lot where Isaac, his son, lived for 92 years on the place, 
seldom going away and content to work industriously on his 
farm. 

Isaac Tracy proved the falseness of the assertion "farm- 
ing does not pay," as not only did he make a living from 
our rocky Gouldsboro soil but left money besides. If the 
young men of to-day would work as industriously as our 
forefathers the desolate places in town would miraculously 
turn the stony soil into bread. 

In Capt. Dan'l Sullivan's Co. of volunteers against 
Major Bagaduce, July 28, 1779, were Jonathan Tracy, 
Lieut., wages 24£ per mo., mileage 7£ ; Asa Tracy, Privt., 
wages 21£ per mo., mileage 7£ ; also Peter Godfrey, Wm. 

58 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Shaw, David and Sam'l Joy, but these men lived at the 
village. 

In Capt. Sullivan's 6th Reg. Militia, Oct. 1780. for pro- 
tection of Frenchman's Bay were Francis Shaw, Priv't. 16s 
wages and Benj. Ash, Corp'l. 4£ 8s, Gouldsboro. 

The first schoolhouse was built about 1766, so near as 
the estimate can be made, and the present at the Eastern 
side in 1870. About one hundred inhabitants constituted 
this community twenty-five years ago, but now only thirty 
comprise its number. 

On the shore of Jonathan Tracy's homestead was built 
the T. R. Hammond, 1857. A piece was taken by Mr. 
William Workman the father of our masons, by trade. 
Afterwards Mr. Workman sold his interest for a horse and 
carriage, exhibiting his keen sense of humor by saying, "I 
have the reins in my own hands." 

The two modern schoolhouses unused now for lack of 
pupils, have each a destiny, the Western being the home of 
the men at Chicken Mill while the Eastern is to form the 
Bunker's Harbor seat of learning. 




59 



ifc#fi'%W*SiSiii##ff 



THE HAUNTED HOUSE. 



FRANCIS SHAW'S son William in 1795 obtained 
from John Lane, a London merchant, of the firm of 
Lane & Frazier, all the land in Gouldsboro village not sold, 
and Gouldsboro Point. We understand John Shaw, son of 
Francis, and Col. Jones' son-in-law lived at the Point as did 
also Francis Shaw Jr. and several younger Shaws. (The 
land here was bought by William Bingham and others for 
the proposed city about 1780.) But three large houses 
were erected in 1776 so near as dates can be obtained, and 
in the one remaining, lived Francis Jr. After his decease, 
the home was occupied at intervals by several families. 

This part of the Point was a veritable Garden of Eden, 
the Shaws taking great pride in gardening, especially 
Richard Shaw, a bachelor brother, well remembered by our 
older inhabitants as a typical French gentleman, and an 
expert gardener. 

Mr. Shaw forbore riding in a carriage for fear of an 
accident but, starting out in later life for his annual visit to 
relatives and friends at West Gouldsboro, was persuaded to 
ride by his brother Charles who was on the way with a staid 
old nag. The steed became frightened, threw Monsieur out, 
causing brain injuries from which he soon died. 

Summer tourists call the deserted old mansion haunted, 

60 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
but this tragedy of a member of its owner's family is the 
only one related, so we think the shadows of pleasure 
seekers are the visions in the deserted home now owned by 
parties in Cherryfield. 



THE FIRST GOULDSBORO TOWN HOUSE. 



THE DATE of erection of the first town house is 
unknown. For years this square, weather-stained 
building was the scene of all public gatherings. The pews 
on either side were closed with a high door as entrance, and 
fortunate the child whose father's pew had a window, one of 
the nine 7x9 avenues of light. 

The centre of the house contained a double row of the 
clear pine pews, nature's tint. In front was the pulpit, six 
feet from the floor, at the base the choir's seat, where for 
years Amos Guptill with his tuning fork began the hymns of 
praise. 

The house was high posted and in the upper part was a 
room where the records were kept. Not only was 
this place for town business and divine service but for the 
use of the singing master and as a theatre. It was burned 
September 23, 1883. 

The first church in Gouldsboro was built 1872, burned 
in 1883. In 1884 the present Methodist church was built 
on the site of the old town house. In 1886 a few rods 
distant the Union Church was erected. The date of erec- 
tion of the old school house is unknown. Location in front 
of Mrs. A. W. Hill's house. A singing school was held 
there for several winters. One teacher was A. K. P. Moore 
of Steuben. Thither came boys and girls from the "Pond" 
and "Cove" on nature's conveyances. 

61 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

A few members of "Uncle Amos' " choir were pupils of 
the singing schools, including Mrs. George Whittaker and 
daughter Elvira, Ransom Rolfe and wife, Hiram Rolfe, 
Josephine and Mary Jane Guptill. 

The first orchestra in town was composed of Messrs. J. D. 
Wood and G. C. Gouldsboro, violins ; William Eaton, cornet 
and S. G. Wood, bass viol. Teams were scarce and when 
the service of the orchestra was engaged at Steuben for a 
Fourth of July ball, the veteran fish peddler, Wyman 
Bunker, conveyed it thither in his cart, and came to the 
"Point" for the night. He not appearing at 5 A. M. the 
"orchestra" walked to the "Point" and found Wyman just 
arising. 



EARLY PASTORS. 



'INISTERS who preached in the Old Town House at 
Gouldsboro were: John Richards (the first settled 

minister) ; Jaques, (married H. M. Sowle in 1829) ; 

A. F. Barnard ; Seth Beal ; Benjamin Hilton ; Moses 

Palmer; Bruce; Asahel Moore; Hiram Chase, 

(married H. M. Sowle the second time in 1846); Mace 

Clough ; Elliot B. Fletcher ; Roundy ; Jesse 

Harriman ; Robert Gross ; Edwin A. Helmershansen ; Otis 
Jenkins ; Harry W. Latham ; C. C. Long. 
These are a few of the very oldest. 



62 



■PL AN^ 



■#TOWl\I HOUSED 

-^GOULDSBCDRO^— 

J}e5TRov£0 By Firt S»fT. 23,1683. 

OATt OF CRECTtON UNKNOWN. 



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ciwrriL I 5f^^Ru«<BsUM^4tR, 



EBEMEZER. WOOD 



FOSTER. JONES 



TIL5T0N OUNBAB. 



OBIJAH J ONES 



COL. FRANCIS TAFT 



Wom,-ewMiTTMren.jii. 



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DRAWN BY E-E- SODERHOUTZ. 
Ftom a 5Kefch. by /y.H SOVVkE- 

)nCOrHcT aetNC, A SKCTCn FHOK. MfiHORr 



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DANIEL. l.lOftY 



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rne ^irst »-iini3Ter whs 

MC UA3T, EK.W-IN aU>OMPiaUO. 



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IV TY- r-^ C3MO. 




GOULDSBORO VILLAGE. 



A RECORD of a good land deal here has come to our 
notice : William Shaw of Quincy, County of Norfolk, 
Mass., deeded, in consideration of $5 paid by David Cobb 
of Gouldsborough, west side of Bay one hundred acres, taken 
up and improved by John Walker, late of Gouldsborough 
deceased, as a settler in town. Said David Cobb bought of 
John Walker son of said John W. deceased. 

In witness whereof, I, the said William Shaw have 
hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of January 

A. D. 1800. 

William Shaw. 

Signed, Sealed and delivered ,— a-«, 

in presence of us : f 1 

Thomas Cobb, | * > 

John Black. ^-y-^ 

This land is now known as Haydn Guptill's place. 
Ship building was quite an industry and even now vessels 
are repaired extensively at the landing and a number of 
scows have been built lately. The first vessel built at the 
yard was the schooner H. D. Leighton, in 1847. Henry 
Leighton was the builder. 

The Gulnare was built by Luther Stevens, and John 
Moore was captain. The Oddfellow was built about 1850, 

63 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Clement Young was the first captain, but Capt. Nahuna 
Rosebrook soon after took command. The brig Zoarra, 
was built in 1852, Luther Stevens, builder. The brig 
Whittaker, Capt. Joseph Handy, in 1854, and the Orozimbo, 
brig Handy and Alruccabar. The latter was partly owned 
by Mr. Wm. Guptill of Gouldsboro. Capt. David Cole went 
with her to Baltimore with a load of lumber and from there 
was chartered to go for a load of guano. The guano 
country being in rebellion, the vessel obtained but thirty 
tons. Six stevedores' names were on the ship's paper so 
that upon the failure of the charter party, it took 3-4 of 
what the vessel sold for, to pay the cost of the voyage. 
The Orozimbo is owned in Eastport. In 1859, the J. C. 
Haraden brigs, Ruby and Chastelain were built. The 
Condor was built for Capt. Horatio Allen and the Ponvert in 
1863; Sherman Smith was the master builder and Rufus 
Allen, captain. The brig Sullivan, was built in 1866, Jesse 
Perry, captain, and the Altoona, in 1869. Thos. Fitzgerald 
was the captain. 

In 1884, the Willard and Wilson and Lizzie May, 
schooners; in 1885, the Lizzie and Annie ; in 1890, the 
Seth Wyman ; in 1892, the Lida F. ; in 1895, the Hattie 
Loring. 

About seventy-five years ago two vessels were built at 
Truxton, Fernald's shore, by Joseph Stevens: the Joseph 
and Shibboleth. 

From 1878 to 1880 there was a big mining boom. A 
number of buildings still stand as sentinels to untold wealth. 

T. S. Dunifer's stave miill and Wm. Guptill's shingle mill 
are veteran sawyers on the stream. The nucleus of 
lumbering now is at Chicken Mill where there is material 
for two million staves and a quantity of long lumber, owned 
and operated under the direction of Messrs. Harvey and 

64 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Emery Dunbar of Sullivan. The kiln wood and some 
paving swell the industries. 

The pupils in Dist. 7, number eleven, in No. 8, sixty- 
seven. A good schoolhouse was erected about twenty-five 
years ago in each district. The date of the old ones 
not known. 

More than half a century ago at the fall of a certain 
eve's dew, one of the young men in the northern 
section near the stream, set forth to call home the 
cattle. Not having his predecessor's rod (Aaron) he 
believed his old musket a good stay in time of doubt 
and uncertainty. 

Thus armed he strode along when Hark ! ! What's that 
sound ! ! What means those tracks ! I 

A moment later, he espied close at hand. Bruin himself ; 
a huge bear indeed ! 

The weapon was aimed at the beast's heart and fired. 
Not killed but wounded Bruin rushed toward his assailant 
and struck Ash's arm a heavy blow. Then occurred the 
worst personal combat between man and beast in Gouldsboro, 

In the death grip of that monster Aaron Ash grasped 
the bear's tongue and with Herculean strength strove to 
choke him. He did not succeed, but managed to escape 
from his clutches, and badly lacerated he returned home. 
The next morning his brother-in-law went to the scene of 
action, found Bruin much exhausted and shot him. Thus 
Samuel Joy brought home the trophy of that awful struggle. 

Three pioneer settlers at "The Bay" were Samuel 
Libby, Hilliard Sowle and Thomas Gubtail. 

The first post office in Gouldsboro was established April 
22, 1796, Thomas Hill postmaster. But we are informed 
the residents went to West Gouldsboro for the mail. 

The local lodge of our prominent state order, the Grange, 

65 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

was organized April 24, 1901, with nineteen members. It 
now has more than one hundred members. 

The captains of the sea from the "Point" were Nahum 
Rosebrook, David Rosebrook, John Shaw, Nathan Tracy, 
Edwin Tracy, deep sea men ; Joseph Haraden, John iVIoore, 
David Walls, Nathaniel Shaw, Jesse Perry, coasters ; 
from Gouldsboro, Jesse Perry 2nd, Simeon L. Tracy, 
Freeman G. Tracy, deep sea men; Sherman Spurling, 
William Fernald, Stillman Coffin, coasters. 




66 



iite %t#-i+iiir't lif i i r l ii irHiiitifr'ilii-Hi-'Mti D i l 'M I t ir 'Bi r i -i 



THE LIBBY FAMILY. 



JOHN LIBBY came from England and settled in Scar- 
boro, Me. From there, Samuel, one of his four sons, 
came to Gouldsboro and settled, attracted by the large 
amount of salt hay and fine lumber. Here, his first wife 
having died, he married again, his second wife's family 
name being Leighton. Her christian name is not known. 
Four children were born to them, the eldest, Polly, being 
the first white girl born within the present limits of the 
town. Mr. Libby's only son, Joseph, born in 1765, 
married in 1799, Bathsheaba Gibbs of Rochester, Mass. 

Joseph then built a house on the present site of the 
Libby homestead. Of their six children, Daniel the eldest 
remained in the old home. He married, in 1826, Mary 
Ann Whitaker. To them were born six children, three of 
whom still live at the old homestead. 



H. M. SOWLE. 



MILLIARD M. SOWLE came to Gouldsboro from 
New Bedford, Mass., in the year 1825, at the age of 
22, for the purpose of running a store for his Uncle, Thomas 

67 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
Mayhew, a wealthy New Bedford sea-captain. The store 
was situated just above where W. L. Guptill's carding and 
shingle mill now stands. 

In 1829 Mr. Sowle married Abagail Wilson and 
afterwards he bought the house and farm belonging to her 
father, Gowen Wilson, who then moved to Cherryfield. 
The house was the same in which he lived for more than 
fifty years and which stood, one of the land marks of the 
town, until a few years ago, 

A few years after his marriage Mr. Sowle bought out his 
uncle's interest in the store and started in business for 
himself in a new store which he built where Ira Shaw's 
store now stands. In 1844 Mrs. Sowle died, leaving four 
children, and in 1846 Mr. Sowle married Flora Whitaker, 
who still lives at the old homestead. Of their four children 
three are still living. 

Mr. Sowle was appointed town clerk in 1837. The 
first two entries in his record are as follows : — 

Gouldsborough February 27th 1837. Then appeared 
Ephriam W. Taft and took the oath prescribed by law to 
serve as Post Master. 

Before me, H. M. Sowle, Justice of the peace. 

March 6th 1837. Then personally appeared Nahum 
Jones and made oath that he killed or caused to be killed 
one Bear within this State. 

H. M. Sowle, Justice of the peace. 

In the same record is a list of 253 marriages which Mr. 
Sowle performed. That is not a complete list as there are 
a great many marriages which are recorded in the town 
books and not in his. 

Mr. Sowle was postmaster for twenty years and was 
steadily engaged in trade from the time he came here until 
his death in 1882. 

68 






fSW S¥ Hi4lr4ift ^f^ 



THOMAS GUBTAIL, 



THOMAS GUBTAIL (as recorded in the town records, 
Vol. 1.) was an active townsman. Many times his 
house was opened for town meetings prior to the erection of 
the first town house. He came from Berwick in the 
earliest days of the township and married Sarah Wilson 
in 1768. 

Gen. Cobb was a frequent caller at the Gubtail farm. 
The children were : Thomas, Marshall, Lucy, Amos, 
George, Millard, Curtis, Wilson, Nelson, Mary Ann. The 
farm is now occupied by William, Everett and Emerson. 
The latter's house is over Thomas Gubtail's cellar. 

John Gubtail was born in Berwick, 1730, and married 
Abigail Goodwin in 1752. Their issue was: 

Abijah, married Mary Urann ; 

William, married Jane Downs ; 

Susan, married William Whittaker, in 1770. (The 
great grandfather of the present townsman bearing his name.) 

John, married Mary Woodman ; 

Thomas, married Sarah Wilson, 1790, otherwise 
mentioned ; 

Amos, married Abigail Urann ; 

Nahum, married Sarah Rolfe in 1796 ; (grand and 
great grandparents of the Winter Harbor Guptills.) 

69 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Mary, married Jesse Perry in 1798; (great grand- 
parents of many Stevens descendants, Steuben. Jesse 
fought at Bunker Hill.) 

Fannie, married Benjamin Spurling, 1799 ; (great 
grandparents of many Spurlings, some moved to 
Cranberry Isle.) 

When the Civil feud broke forth, the town of Goulds- 
boro called a meeting and elected William Guptill lieutenant. 
He had charge of the town's affairs in this department and 
conducted the 26th regiment to Bangor. In the Spring of 
1889 the authorities of some Southern states made requests 
of the North for the battle flags captured during the war. 

This suggested to Lieutenant Guptill the following : 

TAKE BACK THE FLAGS. 

Take them, ye Southerns, those symbols of treason, 
We know that you worship and love them to-day. 
The black clouds that darken the bright sun of reason. 
The school and the engine will soon clear away. 

Take them, the emblems of bondage and darkness, 
We've no place to hide them from "Liberty's" sight. 
When the "torchlight of Liberty" illumes the Southland, 
You'll spurn them and burn them as brush in the night. 

Take them, those symbols of perfidy, take them. 
We execrate, hate them, and you will some day, 
Their cost ! Oh, 'twas fearful and boys in blue paid it, 
And wish you the blessings of Freedom for aye. 

Yes, Freedom, the patron of light and of learning. 
We've sworn to protect 'neath the bright starry flag. 
Then huzzah for the flag of the free and fearless, 
And annihilation to slavery's rag. 

Take them, cremate them, in hottest fire burn them. 
And bury their dust in Oblivion's tomb; 
Then the high tide of progress will come to the Southland 
And the blest "Tree of Liberty" shower its bloom. 

70 



ip|i^!it||# gpj!i^g;^ 






WEST GOULDSBORO. 



MONG the early prominent nnen of West Gouldsboro 
was Thomas Hill, a native of Weston. Mass., who 
followed Col. Jones to his part of the township. His wife 
was Rebecca Train, a daughter of Samuel Train, whose 
ancestor, John, was an early settler in Weston, 1635. So 
near as recalled they landed at Skillings river a short time 
after their marriage and soon after came to West Goulds- 
boro, but the revolts of war turned their tide to Massachusetts. 
Marshall, the first child, was born Nov. 2d, 1773, in 
Massachusetts. 

The Hill house was about half way from the present, 
owned by Mr. J. M. Sears of Boston, to the shore. They 
had twelve children, ten of whom lived to manhood and the 
two daughters to womanhood. Two sons, George and 
Daniel, died when young men. Esquire Hill built the first 
tannery which was run by horse power, and later Barney's 
son, Peter, introduced water power. The tannery remains, 
but the proprietors have passed away and the business 
ceased. Marshall, the eldest son, also had a tannery on 
his homestead, now the property of his grandson, James A. 
Hill. The building was torn down several years ago. 

Esquire Hill was Justice of the Peace, the first post- 
master in Gouldsboro, a deacon of the Baptist church, had 

71 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

family worship and was a regular attendant at the Sunday 
service in the old town house. He was a man of ability 
and most exemplary. 

Under his direction quite a farm was tilled and cultivated. 
He employed a number of men, especially in haying. One 
hot summer morn the men had mown from an early hour 
that would astound the present generation, and were shirk- 
ing somewhat. The Squire walked down the field and 
asked "Who mowed this swath ?" 

"Fitzgerald," was the reply. 

The same for several swaths until he came to the 
condemned man. 

"Fitzgerald, you may go to the house and hang up your 
scythe; you have done enough." A rebuke not forgotten 
by his men. 

In later years Barney, the ninth son, became proprietor. 
He was appointed first postmaster in West Gouldsboro 
October, 19, 1841. He was the pioneer summer tourists' 
host. Among the names of guests, appear in 1862 
Nathaniel Hawthorn and son Julian; in 1866. James 
Freeman Clark. Jamaica Plain, Mass. ; in 1869. Henry W. 
Foote and family, also Mrs. S. A. Eliot, Boston ; in 1871, 
Arthur Foote, Lewis S. Osborn ; in 1873, Mrs. Edna D. 
Cheney and daughter, Boston. 

Esquire Thomas built a vessel at his shore called "The 
Ten Brothers." Later a vessel was built by Rufus, Thos. 
Jr. and Barney, three of the ten brothers, Thomas being 
captain of the "Dawn," 

Esquire Barney's daughter Charlotte was a violinist and 

teacher of dancing as was her brother, Peter L. Both won 

the esteem and patronage of eastern communities. Miss 

Hill owned the first piano in town which was the admired of 

. all admirers. This heir-loom descended to her niece and 

72 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

namesake, Charlotte Hill Cowing. Miss Hill died of 
diphtheria. 

After her mother's death (Clarissa Lyon of Needham, 
Mass.,) Esq. Hill married Mrs. Abbie Dunbar of Gouldsboro, 
who after his death, sold the place to Mr. Alpheus Hardy of 
Boston ; thence at the death of Mr. Hardy passing into 
possession of the present owner. Records do not show nor 
tradition relate the culture and refinement that has existed 
in this house in former days. 

Mr. Barney Hill the last family owner, during a severe 
storm, entertained the stage driver and passengers. A lady 
was taken very ill during the evening and nothing would 
relieve her but a certain doctor's pills. The distance was 
too great and storm too severe to go but the discretion of 
Mr. Hill won the day. He knew the medicine, but had 
none, so he told her he would send to the house of Capt. 
John Hammond his neighbor, for the pills. 

He went into the pantry and taking some white also 
brownbread, rolled up the pills and in due time returned with 
a glass of water added. They were hastily taken, washed 
down with the water, and quickly relief came and the patient 
slept. There ignorance was bliss. 

The ship building was quite an industry in former days, 
several of the vessels receiving the name of the principal 
owner. Among the vessels may be mentioned : 

The Java, built for Capt. Isaac Clewly of Prospect, 
Waldo Co. 

The Eliza Ann, rebuilt for the owners, Holway and 
O'Brien, of Machias. 

The E. Wood, built for Capt. Allen Moore. 

The Martha Wood, for Capt. Simon Sargent. The 
schooner met with a mishap and the insurance company re- 
fused to settle as her cargo was bound to a port beyond their 

73 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

limits, but the accident occurred within those limits and the 
captain and builder, Ebenezer Wood, appealed to Mr. Rufus 
Choate. Upon the presentation of this fact, Mr. Choate 
assured them the victory was theirs, as it proved. Capt. 
Sargent after he became blind was fond of relating his 
adventures on the ocean. This transaction with Mr. Choate 
was prominent for he proved a good pilot. 

The Northerner, was a brig built by Jerry Stevens who 
was captain. The material was furnished by E. Wood. 

The Forest, a topsail schooner, was the last of Ebenezer 
Wood's ship building. 

The brig Tugwassa, was built by Asa Dyer. 

The D. C. Brooks, by Thomas Leighton. 

The Connaught, by Luther Stevens. The latter was 
launched on Buchanan's election day, 1856. 

The schooners H. Jones and F. Taft, and brigs Saginaw 
and Macosta, were built by Mr. William Stevens as was the 
schooner, Monadnock. The latter was built on the site of 
Mrs. N. Shaw's smoke house. 

In 1866, the Clarabelle, built by Edmund Young for 
Capt. S. L. Tracy. 

In 1874, the Vineyard, v/as built by John Salisbury. 

The Lygonia, a fore and aft schooner, about 100 tons, 
was sunk off Long Island. The Dawn, was another of the 
early vessels. 

Until his death, Mr. William Stevens built boats. 
The last schooner was the Alcyon, built by Messrs. Will 
Johnson and Jones. 

Among the men in Capt. Sullivan's Co., organized in 
Oct. 1780, for the protection of Frenchman's Bay, is the 
name of Benjamin Sargent, entered Nov. 1, time, 15 d'ys, 
wages, 1£. To show there was another soldier in his 
family the following anecdote is recalled : 

74 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

The old cellar, at the south of Sunnyside Farm, guarded 
by an apple tree and a lilac bush, was the site of his home, 
shared by his wife, a Massachusetts woman, and nine 
children, Capt. Simon Sargent being one. Mr. Sargent's 
occupation was that of cook on board ships and sometimes 
he took a long cruise. One late fall he was on his return 
home when the vessel was blown off by the gales and 
landed in the West Indies. The supplies for his family 
could do them no good and no word was received of the 
father's whereabouts. 

With the unflagging energy that characterized the New 
England mother, Betsy proved the Queen over circum- 
stances by walking the shore path to the home of her 
brother-in-law, Andrew Sargent, (the only trace of the 
home of Mr. Sargent is the last cellar on the Jordan Road 
before entering Winter Harbor) and bringing home a salt 
fish and some potatoes. During the winter the childrens' 
diet consisted largely of potato bread upon which they 
subsisted. 

Spring smiled on the brave mother's efforts by 
returning her husband and his supplies. 

The first schoolhouse was built about 1800, 'oack of E. 
K. Merritt's store. Afterwards the schoolhouse was moved 
to the present location of E. M. Stevens' pump. 

Two seats of learning were erected, the northern near 
the town house and the southern near where J. B. Wright's 
dwelling now stands. A half term was kept in each house, 
and pupils from the Pond, Goodwin district and South 
Gouldsboro came here. The district was divided ; the 
Pond school house built and also the present one here. 
Number of pupils 57. 

The northern house was used by Wm. Eaton for a 
cabinet maker's shop. 

75 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

The southern house is used for a dweUing by Hiram 
Bunker. The hall over the present school room was built 
by the residents, a ladies' society aiding greatly. 

Perhaps the greatest event in this small village was the 
campmeeting for two seasons, in the falls of '47 and '48. 
The session was for one week in the birch grove at Col. 
Taft's Point. Day and night the roads were full of all sorts 
of vehicles including even a four horse coach from Ellsworth 
and another from Cherryfield, the latter conveying young 
men. While waiting for their horses to be harnessed at 
Col. Taft's in the evening after the meeting, they sang 
hymns. The people wending their way home in the bright 
moonlight, not only recall the novelty of the coach, at that 
time, but the rare harmony of those young voices. 

The village still has summer tourists and Taft's Point is 
a favorite resort. One of the modern conveniences was the 
telephone placed in S. L. Tracy's store in August, 1892. 
Six residents agreed to pay ten dollars apiece or the deficit 
at the end of the year for three years. The first year's 
receipts exceeded sixty dollars. 

Ice cutting was quite an industry in former years. The 
last cut was in 1890, Rodick Brothers of Bar Harbor being 
the operators. Five years ago through the agency of E. K. 
Merritt clams were shipped, several thousand bushels were 
dug each winter for export. Last winter. 1902, Mr. Thos. 
F. Martin canned in a small factory, expending $1,134.00 
for clams and labor in the village. Is this industry worth 
protecting ? 

The ladies sewing society built, with aid from those 
interested, a Union church, dedicated in 1892. 

There are two patriotic orders here ; the Junior O. 
U. A. M. organized in April, 1902, has 44 members, and 
the D. of L., organized in June, 1902, 54 members. 

76 





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THE GOODWIN DISTRICT. 



ON THE 4th day of November, 1801, Nathan Jones 
deeded to Moses Goodwin of Berwick, (Maine) the 
western lot 650 acres, of his quarter section, for $2,600. 
The bounds, southerly. Frenchman's Bay ; southeast, land 
conveyed to Thomas Hill ; northwest, to Township number 
seven ; west, to township of Sullivan, to a bay called Flanders, 
being the northwest corner of Gouldsboro. 

Moses Goodwin also contracted for a wife, marrying 
Susan Jones, the twelfth child of Nathan Jones's issue. 
The Goodwin house was where that of G. H. Robertson 
now stands. 

The children of Moses and Sarah Goodwin were : 

I. Nathan Jones Goodwin, married Hannah Bunker ; 
children, Nathan Jr., deceased, Louise, (deceased,) 
married John U. Small, Sullivan, and Miss Mary Goodwin 
the last living of this branch, 

II. Louise, married Harrison Dyer of Addison Point, 
died there. One child, Ann, deceased. 

III. Sarah, married Elbridge Holt of Belfast. Three 
boys, Charles and George deceased, Fred living in West 
Gouldsboro. 



77 




ASH'S POINT. 



AT ASH'S POINT are ruins of an old French 
fortification and also Indian relics have been found of 
much interest. The first settler quoted is a man by the 
name of Bickford but Thomas Ash is the first recalled ; 
the date of his location here is unknown. His son, 
Nathaniel, married Lucy Johnson and settled here too. 
The children of Nathaniel Ash were : 

I. Nathaniel Jr., married Ruth Hall. Their Issue was, 
Elisha C. Ash, died in military service, March 9, 1862, 
Ellen M., married John H. Tracy, Gouldsboro. They cared 
for the parents of Mrs. Tracy and her bachelor uncle. Mr. 
Tracy has lived here 46 years. 

II. William, unmarried, died Dec. 22, 1888, aged 
91 yrs. 5 mo. 

III. Miriam, married Wiley Hall. At the shore of the 
Hall homestead is ballast said to have been thrown out 
from English ships that loaded here with lumber. 

IV. Susan, married Isaiah Hall of Sullivan. 

V. Hannah, married Marshall Guptill of Gouldsboro. 

VI. Lucy, married a German, — Hoffsis of Rockland. 

VII. Betsy, married Abial Pettee of Sullivan. 



1jiii*1iHini'-aflflflWifKr*»"«fi:F^Hra 



PROPOSALS FOR CARRYING U. S. MAIL. 



THE FOLLOWING proposals for carrying the mails of 
the United States were advertised In the Philadelphia 
Gazette, June 15, 1799 : 

Will be received at the General Post Office in Phila- 
delphia, until the 1 2th day of August next, inclusive. In Maine: 

Scoodlc by Machlas, Chandler's River, Colunnbia and 
Narraguagus to Gouldsboro once a week, estimated eighty- 
eight miles. 

From April 15th to October 15th, Leave Scoodlc every 
Saturday at two P. M, and arrive at Gouldsboro the next 
Tuesday by six P. M. Returning leave Gouldsboro every 
Wednesday at five A. M. and arrive at Scoodlc on 
Saturday by ten A. M. 

From October 15, to April 15, leave Scoodlc every 
Sunday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro on 
Wednesday by six P. M. Returning leave Gouldsboro 
every Thursday at six A. M. and arrive at Scoodlc on 
Sunday at ten A. M. 

2. From Gouldsboro by Sullivan, Trenton, Blue Hill, 
Castine, Buckston, Prospect and Belfast to Ducktrap, once 
a week ; estimated eighty-five miles. From April 15 to 
October 15, Leave Gouldsboro every Wednesday, at five 
A. M. and arrive at Ducktrap on Saturday by ten A. M. 

79 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Returning leave Ducktrap every Saturday at two P. M. and 
arrive at Gouldsboro the next Tuesday by six P. M. 

From October 15 to April 15, Leave Gouldsboro every 
Thursday, at six A. M. and arrive at Ducktrap on Sunday 
by ten A. M. Returning, Leave Ducktrap every Sunday at 
two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro on Wednesday by six 
P. M. 

Note 2. Half an hour shall be allowed for opening and 
closing the Mail at all offices where no particular time is 
specified. 

Note 7. The contracts for the routes numbered 1 to 9 
are to be in operation on the 1st day of October next, and 
are to continue in force until the 1st Oct. 1801. 

Joseph Habersham, Postmaster General. 

General Post Office ") 
Phila., June 10, 1799. j 



POND DISTRICT. 



THE FIRST settler was John Leeson. about 1820. 
He built a log house and barn on the west side of the 
road where Mr. Fred Holt's apple trees are now located. 
The next settler was Samuel Tracy who built his log house 
in 1826 where Mr. Frank Rolf's house now is. 

Mr. Tracy was a noted ox teamster. He possessed an 
extra pair of oxen. Often when the road was bare of snow 
instead of skidding entirely, he would make some marks 
with his goad and such was their agility that his pair moved 
the load as rapidly as though the skids were there. 

Isaac Bunker's house was near F. R. Rosebrook's 
location. Caleb Joy lived in a log house at the left hand 

80 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

of road, after passing the mountain. Simeon Hall and 
Mollis Joy were old settlers. 

Nearly opposite Mr. Joseph Sargent's house was a 
field of wheat in 1835 belonging to John Leeson. He was 
going away and wished to sell his grain. Patrick Mulhern, 
who had been taken as a farm hand, through the kindness 
of Mr. Nahum Jones, who trained a number of "boys," 
placed his first wages in Mr. Leeson's hand for the field of 
wheat. The receipts from the grain were double the sum 
paid. Thus the nucleus of the stolen gold came from the 
"Pond" wheat field. 

Patrick Mulhern's education consisted of two words, 
"Patrick Mulhern." The writing lessons were exchanged 
for milking instruction to Mary and Clarissa Jones. An old 
almanac was the tablet and no blank space was uncovered. 

The first school house was in 1836 on the crest and 
right side of "school house hill," just below Mr. Hiram 
Rolf's blacksmith shop. The present house was built 
under the mountain. The number of pupils were eleven. 

In Capt. Daniel Sullivan's Sixth Militia Regiment Oct. 
1780, for the protection of Frenchman's Bay, is the name 
of Caleb Joy. He was a private in service 14 days. The 
time of his discharge was Dec. 23 and his wages 5s, 4d or 
the whole amount with mileage 1£. 



SOUTH GOULDSBORO. 



'DWARD HAMMOND was born in 1798 in what is 
now known as the town of Sorrento, on the old 
Hammond place. He moved to So. Gouldsboro with his 
parents in 1806 and died at the same place in 1883, 

81 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Ivory Sargent was born in So. Gouldsboro on the old 
Sargent place in 1799. He died on the same estate in 1883. 

Jacob Bunker was born about 1781, at Pretty Marsh. 
He came to So. Gouldsboro about 1801 and died at the 
same place about 1861. The exact figures cannot be 
obtained. 

Isaac Bunker, the father of Jacob, came to So. 
Gouldsboro about 1801 and died at the same place about 
1825 or 1828. 

The first school at So. Gouldsboro was in Jotham 
Sargent's dwelling house. 

The first schoolhouse was built in 1839. It was sold 
to Alfred Rich in 1874, and remodelled for a dwelling 
house. It is now owned by J. Harvey Hammond and is 
occupied as a dwelling house. 

Arthur B. Holt's house is on the old schoolhouse site. 

The present schoolhouse was built in 1874, the Ladies' 
Sewing Circle doing quite a little toward the building, 
buying the bell, blinds etc. A Christian Endeavor society 
was organized in May 1883 with thirteen active and 
thirty-one associate members. 

The old lobster factory was built in 1870 and was taken 
down about 1886. It was moved to Prospect Harbor, and 
is now the present sardine factory at that place. The new 
clam factory now building (1903) stands on the old lobster 
factory site. 

The sardine factory was built in 1901, at a cost of 
about $10,000. The pay roll for 1901 was about $18,000, 
and the pay roll for 1902 about $15,000. 

The first postmaster was James C. Hammond who 
received his appointment in May 7, 1878. The district 
contains fifty pupils. 

Some names familiar to sea-faring men are Captains 

82 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
Reuben Hammond, Leonard Bunker, John and David 
Sargent and Harry and Charles Bunker. 

Two years ago a fish stand was established by David 

Crowell of Boston. Another is owned at Winter Harbor by 

F. R, Bunker. The following statement was obtained 

through the courtesy of the fish warden, S. P. Cousins : 

Report of Fishing Industry, Town of Gouldsboro, one 

1903. 



year ending March 31, 

Cases Sardines, 
Lobsters, 

Fresh and Salt Fish, 
Bbls. Clams in Shell, 
Cases Clams, 
Bushels Herring, 
Lbs. Smelts, 
Bbls. Clam Bait, 
Smoked Alewives, 
Bbls. Salt Herring, 



Value of Fish Products, 

Boats, 
Steamers, 
Sardine Factories, 
Fish Stands, 
Weirs, 
Lobster Pots, 



NO. 

42,000 
277.250 
241,131 
748 
455 
1 1 ,000 
8090 
100 
22,000 
50 



VALUE 

$120,000 

38,485 

3,975 

1,066 

1,365 

3,300 

809 

525 

175 

150 





$169,850 


NO. 


VALUE 


130 


$12,000 


4 


12,000 


2 


13,000 


3 


5,000 


8 


1,800 


000 


6,000 



$49,800 
130 



Amount invested in Fishing Industry, 
No. Men Employed in Fishing Industry, 

S. P. Cousins, Warden 



83 






STAVE ISLAND. 



THIS ISLE is two and one-half miles long and one 
mile wide and the eastern side is about one-half mile 
from the mainland. It contains 528 acres. The first 
settler is said to have been Reuben Salisbury, about 1800, 
who there lived for two years. His daughter, Lois, was 
the first white child born on the Island. 

A weir at the southern end of the Island and fishing 
have furnished the principal occupations ; although the soil 
is very fertile. 

About 1856 Mr. William Wood of West Gouldsboro 
became a settler of the southern part. Then porgying was 
a good industry and Mr. Wood cleared land and established a 
home for himself. 

Hither came Capt. Jerry Stevens and brother to build a 
brig, the "Pilgrim." She was built where now stands 
Joseph and Albert Wood's fish house. Capt. Jerry 
Stevens sailed the brig. Mr. Richard Henry Dana's "Two 
Years Before The Mast," began in this ship in which he 
rounded the "Horn." 

In winter quite a quantity of timber and wood have been 
cut. A number of families have lived there for a brief 
period but the island is now in the possession of J. D., 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
Albert, C. H. and F. T. Wood. It has always been a 
favorite picnic ground ; the fish chowders and clam bakes 
served there being unexcelled by any elsewhere. 

While Nathaniel Hawthorne was at West Gouldsboro, 
the village folks had a picnic to Stave Isle which was 
attended by Mr. Hawthorn and son Julian. After dinner 
Miss Charlotte Hill tuned her violin and the young folks 
began dancing on the green in front of Mr. William Wood's 
house. Coming up the harbor were Messrs. Fountain and 
Serenus Rodick of Bar Harbor who were sailing two New 
York guests. They landed at the beach, went up to the 
scene of merry making and tripped the light fantastic. It 
is stated by one of the West Gouldsboro girls that the New 
Yorkers danced as if they were of the party. 

This Harbor is an excellent one and has been surveyed 
for a government anchorage but money swayed the location 
to Portsmouth. On the eastern side of the bar is the 
Wood Brothers' weir which was one of the best locations 
on the coast, but the oil from canning factory has decreased 
its merit. 



IRONBOUND ISLAND. 



GEORGE CHILCOTT, an English soldier, landed in 
the state of Connecticut. At the close of the war he 
procured his discharge, wandered east to Cromwell's 
Harbor, Mt. Desert, obtained employment with a Mr. 
Wasgatt and remained on his farm for some time. 

Several years previous Elizabeth Allen of Kittery, Me., 
came to Gouldsboro where she became the wife of a Mr. 
Bunker. They had six children, Isaac, Mark, Philip, Polly, 

85 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Hannah and one who married a Mr. Everett, Mr. Bunker 
died, his widow married a Mr. Clemens and they had one 
son named James. 

When George Chilcott came to Cromwell's Harbor, 
Mrs. Clemens was in her second widowhood. They formed 
an acquaintance and about 1786 or 7 it resulted in their 
marriage. George Jr., was born in 1788 and John 1790. 
Mr, Chilcott visited Ironbound Island, then State's land, to 
seek a home for himself. He concluded that land covered 
with old growth wood so heavily, was strong land and would 
make a good farm. Full of resolution and pluck and liking 
hard work, he was the man for the situation. 

At the west end of the island Mr. Chilcott cleared a 
spot, built a log house and moved his family about 1790, 
becoming the first settler of Ironbound Island. (Since 
obtaining this information we have learned that the 
grandsire of Mr. Barney Havey, of West Sullivan, Andrew 
Havey, lived there previous to Mr. Chilcott's permanent 
residence) 

Mr. Chilcott commenced burning and clearing, the soil 
produced abundantly. He raised cattle and enough to feed 
them. By industry, honesty, economy and the aid of an 
excellent wife, he reaped New England thrift. 

In the summer of 1806, the author of my authority, Mr. 
Samuel W. Cleaves of Steuben, then two and a half years 
old, went to Ironbound, in charge of his foster-mother, 
Elizabeth Chilcott. They had a new house, a barn 
thirty-five by forty-five feet, had cleared twenty-five or thirty 
acres of land, cut twenty tons of hay, had a yoke of oxen, 
two or three cows, a lot of young stock and quite a flock of 
sheep. A year or two previous to 1806, they lost their 
younger son John, the first white man buried on the Island. 

In 1803 or 1804, Philip Bunker, above mentioned, 

86 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
cleared two or three acres on the east end of Ironbound, 
built a log house and lived there a few years. When 
Barnabas Young of Eden, Me., bought Philip's claim in 1808 
Philip got a site elsewhere and soon moved his family. 
Also came George Anderson from Eden, but stayed only a 
few years. 

James Beverly moved here too and in 1811 or 1812, 
William Leland wife and six children came from Kennebec 
and occupied George Anderson's lot as a permanent 
resident. There were several transient settlers. 

In 1812, Richard Meagher of Baston, lost his property by 
fire and v/as granted five hundred acres of land from the 
Massachusetts Commonwealth. He came to Maine, visited 
Ironbound, was suited with the outlook and gained consent 
of all but Grandsir Chilcott to take up his claim. 

A surveyor found the Island to contain about seven 
hundred and fifty acres. He set off the Chilcott claim and 
then run the lots to suit the settlers. About a year after 
Mr. Meagher had fixed up his business on the island, a Mr. 
Benjamin Palmer of Scituate, Mass., came and attached 
Meagher's interest, but the difficulty was settled and both 
left the Island forever. 

The first school was in the summer of 1817, eight or 
ten weeks, taught by Nancy Cole of Prospect Harbor. The 
next was a winter's school of the same length taught by 
Almira Allen of Prospect Harbor. 

In 1820 there were two months winter school, taught 
by Cyrus Brown of the same village and in 1822, two more 
months by Brown. These were in a private room but a 
schoolhouse was built in 1824. A two months school was 
taught by Michael Knight, There have been about twenty- 
five pupils in attendance at one term in this building. 
There has occasionally been preaching in the schoolhouse 

87 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

by Elder Job Chadwick of Lincoln, Me., a Baptist minister, 
who lived in Prospect Harbor for several years. During 
the summer the young folks in favorable weather went to 
Hull's Cove, Eden, to attend the two services on Sunday 
at the unfinished church. 

John Leeson living in the Pond District, West Goulds- 
boro, preached occasionally in 1824-5-6. 

During 1 840-42 a hermaphrodite brig was built at west end 
of Chilcott beach, where now is the boat house of Mr. Dwight 
Blaney, the summer guest who holds western lots, owned by 
George Chilcott, Lewis Young and John Smith. Barnabas 
Young's brother Abner, sold his part to Alden Young of Eden 
in 1834. In 1862 Warren Young sold to Alden making the 
latter quite a land holder. His property is now owned by 
his daughters, Mrs. Galen H. Smith, West Gouldsboro, and 
Mrs. Eugene Sargent, South Gouldsboro. Capt. Galen H. 
Smith ov/ns nearly all of the southern claim known as 
"barren rock." The only winter residents are Mr. Charles 
Jacobs, wife and son's family who live on the place of his 
father, Abraham Jacobs, owned by Mr. Blaney, and known 
as the Lewis Young lot. 



JORDAN ISLAND. 



A MAN by the name of Brewer from Kittery, Maine, 
bought this island and one of his laborers, named 
Jordan, settled there thus giving the name to the island. 
After passing through several hands as Gouldsboro owners, 
the Island was purchased by Mr. Horace Jordan of Brookline, 
Mass., who built a summer residence which has not been 
occupied for several years. 

88 



WINTER HARBOR. 



THIS SEAPORT of Winter Harbor derived its name 
from the fact that it has never been closed by ice. 
The water is deep to its shore and the formation is such 
that many vessels have found safe anchorage. 

Winter Harbor was a part of the town of Gouldsboro 
until 1895 when, by an act of the Legislature, it became a 
town. At Lower Harbor one of the first settlers was a 
man named Frazier. (colored) The Creek bears his name. 
Mr. Frazier owned the salt works there. 

Another, John Frisbee, came from Portsmouth. He 
owned a large fish stand and some vessels, a part of, the 
fleet engaged in the West India trade. His son George 
was a sea captain. Charles Norris and Leonard Holmes 
of Cranberry Isles, bought this place about 1845. About 
the same time three brothers, Ephraim, John and Lot 
Rider, settled there. Some years later they moved away. 

Charles Norris, with his sons. Frank and Edwin, Mrs. 
Clara Crane his daughter, and Mrs. Rhoda Crane Smith 
and their families have moved to Winter Harbor. The 
present residents are Mr. Obed Bickford and three sons 
with their families and Bradley Keith. The seven school 
children attend the village school at Winter Harbor. 

In 1820 Mr, Stephen Rand of Boothbay came to 

89 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Winter Harbor. His wife was Nancy Adams of Rockport, 
Mass. Six families were then living at Winter Harbor. 
Mr. Rand built a house at the head of the sand beach where 
he lived until his death about thirty-five years ago. The 
place is now owned by Capt. F. R. Bunker. Gen. Cobb, 
then physician in Gouldsboro, when attending to the 
needs of the residents here, made his home at the house 
of Mr. Rand. Doctor Cobb rode from Gouldsboro Point 
on horseback carrying his powders and pills in saddle bags. 

Mr. Joseph Bickford was then living on or near the 
Newman place, in a two-inch plank house at the east side 
of the village. His sons were Jacob, John and Benjamin. 
Jacob married Clarissa Carlow of Portland ; John married 
Abigail Keith of Mt. Desert, and Benjamin married Lydia 
Sargent sister of Mrs. Katie Jones of West Gouldsboro. 
Most of the Bickford families now living here are 
descendants of Benjamin. 

Another of the older settlers at Winter Harbor was 
Andrew Gerrish, father of Frederic Gerrish and grand- 
father of the members of the Gerrish families how living 
here. He lived in a house built of six-inch hewn timber, 
the partition being of timber. The other family in the 
house was that of Francis Coombs from Fox Island. 

Mr. Gerrish was supposed to have been murdered. He 
and a man by name of Cole from Portsmouth, took a 
boat load of fish to Franklin. When the boat returned 
only Mr. Cole was in it. 

The Gerrish house was near that of Capt. A. J. Gerrish 
and commanded a view of the Harbor. Mrs. Gerrish saw 
the boat coming without her husband and she went to the 
shore and inquired. Cole said he supposed that he was at 
home as he got out of the boat at the back shore. (The 
west side of Grindstone Point.) 

90 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
Searching parties looked for him but he was never seen. 
Cole was tried before Capt. Nathan Shaw at West 
Gouldsboro and afterward at Castine. but for lack of positive 
proof he was not convicted. It was said he afterwards 
killed a man at Portsmouth bridge and was hung. 

Mr. Coombs had several children, one daughter married 
Nathaniel Stover, who lived in the Pond district. Mr. 
Stover bought Calf Island (in town of Sullivan) of Messrs. 
Nahum Jones and John Pherson Sr., and set up house- 
keeping there. So far as learned they were its only 
inhabitants except that for several summers, Professor Eliot 
' (now President; and a class of Harvard students 
tented there. 

A grandson. V/illiam Coombs, was drowned from the 
Claribel, commanded by Capt. S. L. Tracy. 

Another of the old settlers was Abijah Sargent. He 
was twice married. The wives were sisters by the name of 
Condol, of Sullivan. He lived at the east side of the village 
where now live his sons and grandsons. 

Dr. Jonathan Rolf lived at the west side of the village, 
which is now the Gerrish settlement. He and his wife 
were from Rhode Island. The occupation of the people at 
that time, and until within a few years, were the coasting 
trade and fishing. One old gentleman says that when there 
was a bounty on fishing, there were about thirty-five sail of 
vessels then owned here. Among the captains of the 
mackerel fleet were Capt. Solomon Pendleton, son of Dr. 
Pendleton, who was lost overboard on his return trip from 
Bay Cheleur in 1855; Capt. Nathaniel Grover, Leonard 
and Peleg Tracy and several others. 

The captains who later sailed to foreign ports, either the 
West Indies or across the Atlantic, were : Capt. Nathan 
Hammond's sons, Montgomery, Thomas and Wilson ; 

91 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Capt. A. J. Gerrish, and Capt. J. B. Foss who made 
several voyages to Africa. 

Time has wrought great changes; a few are still engaged 
in fishing, but the Point Grindstone (so called from a ship 
being cast away which contained a cargo of grindstones) 
having been purchased by a company of summer tourists, 
has undergone the greatest transformation. 

Among the purchasers was the late John G. Moore who 
truly proved a New Englander's love for his home is most 
sincere by the improvements he furthered not only at 
Grindstone but elsewhere. One of the best tributes to his 
memory is the beautiful drive to Schoodic mountain from 
which he could see his native town, Steuben. Mr. Moore 
not only opened and beautified the unused Schoodic 
Peninsula but also furnished employment to many in and 
out of town. 

These changes have given bread to the laborer, an aid 
to our townsmen fully appreciated. 

Perhaps it will be of interest to review the history of 
Schoodic, or Skut-Auke (in Passamaquoddy) meaning fire 
place or land that has been burned. 

In 1764, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by a 
resolve of its Great and General Court in the Grant to the 
early proprietors of the township of Gouldsboro, allotted and 
reserved the Harvard College lot of 484 acres. 

The resolve of said court confirming the grant of said 
township in 1786 to Sarah Shaw, executrix of the last will 
and testament of Francis Shaw late of Boston, deceased, 
and John Rowe administrator of the estate of Robert Gould 
late of said Boston, deceased, was upon the provision "that 
the Grantee appropriate four whole shares or a sixty-fourth 
part within one mile of the center of ^aid town, equal in 

92 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

quality with the land in general in said town, for the following 
purposes : 

"One for the first Settled Minister. (His name first in 
the list of town preachers,) his heirs and assigns forever ; 

"One for the use of the Minister ; 

"One for the future disposition of the Government and 
one for the use of the school forever." 

It appears that in the division of the township the lot in 
question was laid out and assigned, being the third to said 
college and confirmed by a resolve of said Court June 23, 
1790. 

August 5, 1835, the President and Fellows of Harvard 
College, of Cambridge, Mass., conveyed by quitclaim deed, 
with limiited covenants, consideration $160.00, to Nathaniel 
Hobart of Boston, Mass., all the right, title and interest of 
said President and Fellows in the land in Gouldsboro, in the 
State of Maine, allotted and reserved to the college by a 
resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts of January 
27, 1764, and confirmed to said college by the resolve of 
23d of June, 1790. 

Dec. 27. 1849, Lydia Hobart, widow of Nathaniel 
Hobart, conveyed the college lot to Edward Hammond of 
Gouldsboro. It changed owners several times until it 
became the property of the late John G. Moore. 

On the eastern side of Schoodic Peninsula is a little 
creek locally known as "One Squeak," but the real Indian 
name is, "Waunnsquaque." We are unable to find its origin. 

Tradition says an Indian brave, became jealous of his 
squaw, took her in his canoe and threw her overboard (she 
gave one screech) and he held her head under water until 
she drowned. Formerly the creek was termed " One 
Screech. " 

The summer guests are not dormant in charity. A 

93 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

reading room has been established in Winter Harbor. At 
Grindstone an Episcopal church has been erected and in 
1902, a Catholic church. There are about thirty cottages 
owned by residents fronn New York, Philadelphia, Provi- 
dence and St. Louis, and a modern hotel, the " Inn, " 
accommodating 200 or more guests, are occupied each 
season. 

A club house about 160 feet long and a casino, also a 
bath house containing forty-tv/o rooms for the guests and 
another of twelve rooms for the help, and a swimming pool, 
have been built for the comfort and pleasure of the summer 
guests. 

The roads at Grindstone, built in 1889-90 are wide 
avenues underlaid with broken stone. The Jordan road is 
in the control of the company completing the Winter 
Harbor drive. 

To return to the intellectual, spiritual and social life of 
the village: During the early years school was held at the 
houses of Mr. Stephen Rand and Stillman Guptill. In 1838 
the first schoolhouse was built. In 1855 another which 
was burned in 1876. After this the present one was built. 
It contains three rooms. The one in which the Primary 
school is held is much too small. A new house is needed. 

The first church (Baptist) was built in 1878. Previous 
to that time services were held in the schoolhouse, 
afterward in the hall. It has about eighty members. The 
stone church or Channing Chapel, (Unitarian) built in 
1889, was the gift of D. B. Flint of Boston, as was the fine 
library which it contains. 

The local lodge of the Masonic order was organized in 
1887 with twenty charter members. It now has 104 
members. The Eastern Star lodge was organized in 1895 
and has a membership of ninety-four. 

94 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

A Good Templars' lodge was organized in 1866, called 
"Ironbound." For twenty-six years it convened weekly 
and was then suspended. In May 1902 it was reorganized, 
retaining its old name and number. It has a membership 
of sixty-five. There is also an order of Juvenile Templars. 

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was 
organized in 1898. It has a membership of about thirty. 
There is also a Young Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union, (usually called the Y) with a small membership. 

The American Ship Masters and Pilots, No. 56, was 
established Apr. 21, 1902. It has twenty-five members. 
A Grange was organized Apr. 10, with thirty members. 

The Winter Harbor light house at Mark Island was built 
in 1856. Mr. Frederic Gerrish was its first keeper. Mr. 
James Wright was keeper for some years and while he was 
there a new house v/as built. There are six scholars now 
at Mark Isle and a teacher is sent there every year. 

There are 160 scholars in the town of Winter Harbor, 
180 voters and 600 inhabitants. The Winter Harbor post- 
office was established June 18, 1851, with Thomas Stewart 
as postmaster. 



BIRCH HARBOR. 



TRADITION says the village of Birch Harbor derived 
its name from the beautiful birch growth that 
flourished there. 

Among the early settlers recalled is Elisha Clark, a 
brother of Stephen, who settled at Prospect Harbor. They 
came from Sippican, Mass., which is nov/ divided and their 
section is known as Marion, made famous by Pres. 
Cleveland's summer residence, " Gray Gables. " 

95 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Thither also came Jonas Rice from Rochester, Joseph 
Bickford from Portsmouth and OHver Pettee. The former 
residence of the latter is unknown, but Mr. Pettee served in 
the Revolutionary war. 

Of Elisha Clark's family now living is his granddaughter, 
Mrs. Phoebe Temple, who lives in her father's (John 
Clark) home at Birch Harbor, with her two sons Lewis and 
Ralph. The other two sons Frank and Fred have homes 
near by; of the two daughters Celia Noonan is at Prospect 
Harbor and Mrs. Frank Miller in Massachusetts. Elisha 
Clark's daughter Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bickford, had a 
son Justice, who used to live in Birch Harbor, a veteran 
whaler. Fred Crane, the great-granason of Elisha Clark, 
after passing several years in California has returned 
to the old Pine Tree State and taken his abode with his 
family on the Gilbert Simpson farm in East Sullivan. 
Thankful, the wife of Henry Hamilton, has living at 
Prospect Harbor, Alfred, who now resides in the old 
Clarke house near the factory, Mrs. Coombs and Mrs. Johns, 
and the children of John Henry Hamilton. The other 
daughter, Dordana, wife of Robert Perry, had six children, 
Thankful Gay, Mary (unmarried), Celia Bickford, Samuel, 
Thomas, and Robert, who went away and was not 
heard from. 

As near as can be recalled by the oldest residents the 
first schoolhouse was built about one hundred years ago on 
the northern side of the brook and western side of the road 
about sixty yards to the north of Mrs. Temple's. 

It was burned about thirty years ago. The present 
building was built twenty-nine years ago. The pupils 
numbered fifty-five. The post office was established in 
1880, March 26. The first postmistress was Flora W. 
Coombs. 

96 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Oct. 1st, 1901, a Christian Endeavor was organized. 
The present number of members is eighteen. 

April 2d, 1902, a church was completed. 

The sea captains of the village are Nahum Fitzgerald, 
David Rice, Joseph Rice, Nahum Stevens, James Higgins, 
James Rice. Freeman Davis. 



BUNKER'S HARBOR. 



THIS PLACE derived its name from a man who 
sought shelter from a severe storm at the harbor 
before residents were there. Among its early settlers were 
Messrs. Joseph and Joshua Bickford and Captains Hamilton 
and Arey. 

The " Annie McKnabb " was ashore at One Squeak 
and Ebenezer Wood with his crew went thither in " Pod 
Auger" days to repair her and boarded at the Harbor with 
Capt. Thomas Arey. 

In 1859 a schoolhouse was built by Alfred Tracy and 
Gowen Wilson Bunker and a new one is being built at the 
present time. Dr. Averill, Bar Harbor's well known surgeon, 
has a summer home here. 

The location for preserving that delicate crustacean, the 
lobster, for market use, being excellent, two pounds were 
built a few years ago ; Capt. Ezra Over's has a capacity of 
50,000, and Mr. Frank Huckins' a capacity of 20,000. 



PROSPECT HARBOR. 



ASA COLE, mentioned as buying land of Nathaniel 
Shaw, did not reside here but came because of 
business interests in the mill, his step-father building the 

97 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

first mill here. On Oct. 23d, 1800, he deeded the mill 
privilege, west side, to Sarah Garfield, wife of James 
Garfield, Harvard, Worcester Co., Mass. 

Abijah Cole, a brother, came from Westmoreland, 
Vermont, about 1790, married here, bought 200 acres of 
land on the east side of the stream and settled there. He 
had two sons, Asa and Abijah. The former was the first 
postmaster and held the office until his death 1861. 

Tobias Allen. Sr,, came from Kittery to Gouldsboro 
Point, lumbering and fishing, and thence to Prospect 
Harbor, locating near the light house site. His son Tobias, 
settled on the western side of the Harbor. Tobias Sr. and 
son were sailing to Lubec in a small sloop, on one occasion, 
and when near Jonesport were attacked by two canoes 
filled with hostile Indians. 

Having no ammunition, hot water was their weapon of 
defence. One Indian swam under the boat to scuttle her 
with his hunting knife but the old captain adroitly caught 
him under the jaw with a boat hook and the tables were 
turned. However the red man managed to free himself 
and the boat was permitted to sail on. 

Another early settler was Josiah Moore, and also his 
two brothers Joseph and Peltiah, three of the thirteen 
children of Joel and Rebecca Weeks Moore, who were 
among the pioneers at Gouldsboro Point in 1786, coming 
there from Kittery, Me. From this family the Moores in 
Gouldsboro and Steuben are descendants. Josiah Moore's 
home is more familiar as ■' Squire Benjamin's " place. 
This village is the home of sea captains, the majority of 
whom sailed and are sailing the high seas. The native 
captains, mostly deep sea mariners, are : 

ALLEN, Tobias, Nathaniel, Horatio, David, Rufus, 
98 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Horatio Jr., George W., Rufus H., Nathaniel 2d, 
Estwick, George W. Jr., Fred H., John M. 

BROWN, Enoch, Amos, Samuel. 

COLE, Edwin, Daniel, Samuel B., David G. 

CLARK, Stephen, Obed, Stephen D. 

EVERETT, Timothy, Henry. 

HANDY, William, Eli, Joseph, Corydon, Herbert, 
Eugene, Marcus, H., William Jr. 

MOORE, John, David, David M., Wilson, George. 
Joshua, Allen, Allen Jr,, Samuel O., Welsh. 

MILLER, Frank. 

NOONAN, Daniel, Daniel 2d, Daniel 3rd, Timothy, 
James, Henry, Frank, John. 

SARGENT, Walter, Jason. 

SEAVEY, Fred. 

Other residents but not native captains are : 

Daniel Deasy, W. F. Peters. Dennis Mahoney, George 
Colwell, John M. Stinson. Charles Johns, John Coombs, 
William Seavey and Ezra Ober. 

Tobias Allen was a naval officer in 1812, was taken 
by the British and held prisoner for some time at Castine. 

Allen Moore 2nd, was captain of one of the first 
Atlantic side wheel steamers. 

Walter Sargent was a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, 
and with many others was lost on the coast of Japan by the 
sinking of the ship. 

In Capt. Daniel Sullivan's company of volunteers 
against Bagaduce, (Castine) July 28, 1779, is registered, 
"Stephen Clark, Priv't.. wages, 21£ per mo., Amt. of 
wages 42£. Mileage, 7£. " Also James Noonan and 
Josiah Moore. 

On a chart of 1728 found on board the bark Caroline, 
Prospect Harbor was called " Watering Cove, " and Birch 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Harbor. Lobster Cove. The lighthouse was built in 1847, 
rebuilt in 1867 and again built in 1891. The first keeper 
was P, Stevens ; second, John Royal ; third, Horatio Allen 
and the present is A. M. Wasgatt. 

The first school house was built in 1793 probably. The 
last in 1889. The church was dedicated in 1876 or 1877. A 
chapel is being erected in 1 903. The lobster factory was built 
in 1865, removed East, rebuilt and burned the following year. 
It was again built several years after and burned the second 
time. In 1881 it was again erected this time as a sardine 
factory. 

The post office was established March 8, 1828, Asa 
Cole postmaster. 

In 1845 Simeon Tracy, ten years of age, carried the 
mail from the Gouldsboro post office, (H. M. Sowle, then 
postmaster) to Prospect Harbor. The mail came weekly 
and the U. S. mail bag, holding about one peck in bulk was 
transported to Mr. Cole for 50 cents per trip. 

The sum total from 1881 to 1898 for fish labor and 
stock at the sardine factory averaged $50,000 yearly and 
since that date $75,000 annually. Of this sum $20,000 
has been paid for labor. 

The number of scholars in the district is sixty-eight. 

Schoodic lodge No. 129 K. P. was organized Sept. 18, 
1900. The number of members is 104. 

Halcyon Assembly No. 46, P. S., was organized Jan. 
29, 1901, and the present membership is sixty-eight. 

In winter some years ago, ice cutting by Campbell & 
Co. of Cherryfield, was quite an industry. 

Ship building had its location here also. The "Argus," 
built by Capt, Wilson Godfrey, is well remembered. 



100 






INDIAN HARBOR. 



THIS PICTURESQUE seaport was settled in 1812 by 
Joseph Young and wife, nee Sally Tracy of 
Gouldsboro. Later six families by the name of Young 
increased the settlement. 

Their life was that of the hardy men of the sea, 
returning from the fishing ground with the catch to a 
simple log hut where was a meal of fish, potatoes (the one 
grown vegetable) and a bannock baked before glowing coals 
in the big fire place, the sweetest bread ever eaten. 

The soda of our town at this time was home prepared 
by cleaning the brick oven carefully and burning the corn 
cobs, the ashes collected and kept safely for the housewife's 
use. But the greatest delicacy in cookery had not yet 
reached our far away settlers ; the pumpkin pie with its 
crust of wheat flour made from wheat sifted through a piece 
of muslin in a teacup, the coarser used for bread. 

Three miles by a foot path these people walked to the 
nearest village. Prospect Harbor, for Indian meal. The 
greater transport, their boats, were used for a goodly 
quantity. 

In 1862 the incoming of Messrs. A. C. Lufkin, Jerry 
Tracy, Nathaniel Crowley, Levi Decker and E. D. 
Robinson, also toilers of the sea, with new ideas, changed 

101 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

the original mode of living. The average catch of lobsters 
was from seven hundred to one thousand ; these sold from 
forty to fifty cents per hundred, the price later increasing 
to sixty cents. 

Economy prevailed. The long legged boots of the men, 
in the Fall were made over by the shoemaker for the 
children, who through the greater part of the year were clad 
in nature's sandals. When going to Prospect Harbor to 
shop or elsewhere visiting, these shoes made out of old 
boots were carried with the stockings in the hand until near 
the destination. 

The first school was taught in a private house about 
seventy-five years ago. The first schoolhouse 14x16 was 
built in 1863. This had the old time fireplace and long 
benches. In 1888 this was vacated for a new one, 20 x 30. 
The pupils having increased by birth and immigration to 
the number of sixty, a larger house has been needed for 
several years. 

In 1902 an article in the town warrant presented the 
need of a new house. It was greeted with indifference and 
even derision, although one voter made an earnest appeal in 
its behalf. 

The school committee knew nothing of this building's 
condition, but during the year they ascertained the need was 
just. The parents realized their forty-four votes were of 
consequence, and the annual March meeting saw the sum 
of fifteen hundred dollars voted for a graded schoolhouse. 
This is but one result of the awakening to educational needs. 

Indifference, regarding school is prevalent. Many 
retain the false assertion, " A little schooling is enough. " 
Parents, an education, if but that of the common school, is 
the best legacy you can bequeath your children ; more than 

102 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

this the public school is the safeguard of the American 
Republic. 

To return to the business life. The first lobster trap 
was used, it is stated, about 1862, by a man named Hilton. 
The scarcity of lobsters has increased the price to 
fourteen cents at least and often twenty cents a piece. 
Jefferson Young's large boat of 1887 has now a dozen 
companions of an average value of two hundred and fifty 
dollars. A coasting schooner swells the list. 

In 1863, one yoke of oxen was owned, and the path, 
widened to a road, was used for transporting the supplies 
from Prospect Harbor. In 1870 a horse was purchased by 
Jerry Tracy and now a number of others are owned here. 

In 1895 a Christian Endeavor Society was organized 
and met at the schoolhouse with a membership of thirteen. 

In 1896 a post office was establtshed, with V. W. 
Talbut as postmaster and the original name changed to 
Corea. In 1889 a Sewing Circle began its labors for a 
church and in 1890 the building was erected. This year 
1903 will see the interior finished. John Stinson placed 
dry goods and groceries in his house for sale in 1896. 
Then came a store under the management of Lewis Young. 
In 1898 S. E. Doyle built a store and fish stand. The 
store he transferred to Lewis Young in 1902. Mr. Young 
also has the stage route about the town. 

The large fishing business demanded the telephone over 
which the first message was sent in 1900. The six houses 
of 1863 are supplanted by thirty seven cottages furnished 
with the comforts and even luxuries of life. 

The captains are Emery Young and A. C. Lufkin. The 
total valuation of the place is $14,917 or about one 
nineteenth of the town valuation, $289,513 ; polls 44. 

Through the courtesy of Mr. Bryant E. Moore of 

103 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Gouldsboro, our "first selectman," the valuation book of 
Gouldsboro, 1796, has been loaned for extracts. It is of 
unruled writing paper 3 1-2x8 inches, and contains twenty- 
two pages. There were seventy-five tax payers, seven of 
whom paid but polls. The highest value of houses was 
from $100 to $150, save one valued at $300. (The three 
most highly valued in 1903 are rated at $2,000, $2,500 
and $2,800.) 

General David Cobb's private estate had a valuation of 
$270; agents for Bingham & Co., cultivated land, $2,100 ; 
1 4,000 acres wild land, $ 1 , 1 66 ; total $3,266. 

The valuation of the estate of Nathan Jones Esq., was 
as follows ; 

1 House, $300 

2 Barns, 200 
2 Stores, 100 
1 Grist Mill, 200 
1 Saw Mill at home. 800 
1-2 Saw Mill at Musk Harbor, 300 
2-3 Saw Mill, New Mill, 200 

1 Weaving House, 50 
38 Acres mowing land, 380 
30 Acres pasturing, 100 
6000 Acres wild land, 500 
16 Oxen, 400 
10 Cows, 180 
10 two year olds, 120 
10 Yearlings, 80 

2 Horses, 100 
4 Swine, 20 

1 Schooner, 95 tons, 2,000 

2 Polls, 

New Schooner. 1500 



Total, $7,530 

Other valuations were : Thomas Bacon, $222 ; Thomas 
Hill, $1,147; Abijah Cole, $286; Mark Bunker, $40; 

104 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 
Joseph Newman, $76 ; George Whitaker, I yoke of oxen, 
$50; Going Wilson, 1-8 of new mill. $37 ; Job Gibbs, 1 
cow, $18; 1 Poll; Joel Moore, $313; Daniel Wright, 
$315; Phineas Whitten, $508 ; Joseph Tillinghast, 1 store, 
$50 ; Stock in trade $666 ; 1 Poll. 

Andrew Kidston, 1 store, $25 ; 1-2 Chicken Mill, $100 ; 
Stock in trade, $333 ; Total, $458. 1 Poll. 

Thomas Gubtail, $467; Aaron Rolfe, 2 yoke oxen, 
$100; 1 Poll; Benjamin Ash 2nd, 1 Cow, $18; 1 Poll; 
Peter Godfrey; $323. 

Clement Fernald, 1 House. $150 ;1 Barn. $100; 1 
Shop, $30 ; 3 Acres plow land, $30 ; 12 Acres mowing, 
$36 ; 1 Yoke oxen, $50 ; 1 Yoke 3 year old, $40 ; 1 yoke 
2 year old, $24 ; 5 Cows. $90 ; 2 Heifers 2 year old, $24 ; 
1 Yearling. $8 ; 1 Colt 2 year old. $30; 2 Swine, $12; 
Total, $624. 1 Poll. 

At this time there were 131 cows, 105 oxen and steers, 
103 swine, 8 horses and colts. Total valuation of town 
1796, $24,879 ; 1903, highest land value. Porcupine Island, 
$5,000 ; highest property value, one tax, $4,023. 




105 






GOULDSBORO VOLUNTEERS— CIVIL WAR. 



The Gouldsboro Volunteers who served in the Civil 
War were ; 

Co. I. 2nd Regiment Infantry: Harris Whitten, Goulds- 
boro; Eli H. Young, West Gouldsboro. 

Co. G. 6th Regiment : David L. Weare, West Goulds- 
boro, died Oct. 31, 1861. 

Co. G. 8th Regiment : William P. Whitten, Gouldsboro ; 
Willard R. Young, Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *Augustus 
A. Hoyt, Gouldsboro, Captain ; Emerson G. Guptill, Goulds- 
boro, Sergeant ; Richard F. Taft, West Gouldsboro, Ser- 
geant, died in South Carolina ; *George F. Taft, West 
Gouldsboro, Corporal. 

Co. C. 1 1th Regiment : Melville Cole, Prospect Harbor ; 
James W. Cole, Prospect Harbor; *Allen M. Cole, 
Prospect Harbor, wounded, arm amputated ; *Adolphus L. 
Cole, Prospect Harbor, discharged at Yorktown ; John A. 
Hammond, West Gouldsboro, wounded, leg amputated; 
Alfred Tracy, West Gouldsboro ; *Edward Noyes, West 
Gouldsboro, arm amputated ; *Reuben C. Bunker, West 
Gouldsboro ; Edward S. Bunker, West Gouldsboro ; Charles 
E. Urann, West Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *Alexander 
M. Young, Corea ; *David N. Young, Corea, 

* Deceased. 

106 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Co. G. 11th Regiment: *John F. Moore, Prospect 
Harbor, killed in action ; *Daniel Hurd, West Gouldsboro, 
killed in action ; *David Weare, West Gouldsboro ; Asa B. 
Young, West Gouldsboro ; Weldena F. Peters, Prospect. 

Co. A. I3th Regiment : *Preston L. Guptill, Gouldsboro ; 
*Abijah C. Moore, Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *Daniel C. 
Moore, Gouldsboro, died in service ; Brewer Spurling, 
Gouldsboro ; Phineas Tracy, Gouldsboro, died in service. 

Co. A., 13th Regiment; Leonard P. Guptill, Goulds- 
boro, corporal, died in service ; Wesley A. Howe, Gouldsboro. 

Co. I., 13th, Regiment: Joel S. Pray, Bunker's Harbor. 

14th Regiment : *Timothy Dunton, Winter Harbor. 

15th Me. Battalion : Horace Weston, Winter Harbor. 

Co. E., 26th Regiment : *Mahlon C. Witham. West 
Gouldsboro, discharged, Jan. 2 ; *Nathan Shaw, Jr.. West 
Gouldsboro, promoted 2nd lieutenant ; *George W. Wood, 
West Gouldsboro, Sergeant ; Elisha C. Ash, West Goulds- 
boro, died of disease, March 9 ; Amos E. Guptill, Goulds- 
boro, musician, wounded, Apr. 14, '62; Charles E. Bunker, 
Gouldsboro ; James H. Handy, Gouldsboro, died of disease 
Jan. 19, '63 ; *Freeland R. Rosebrook, West Gouldsboro ; 
Henry C. Rosebrook, Gouldsboro, died of disease April 2d, 
'63 ; Epps H. Sargent, Gouldsboro ; Sherman T. Spurling, 
Gouldsboro ; Christopher Tracy, Gouldsboro, died of ' 
disease March 18, '63; James B. Wright, Gouldsboro; 
*Everett H. Young, Gouldsboro, promoted Sergeant ; 
*Bethuel S. Young, Winter Harbor ; *Bedford Young, 
Winter Harbor ; Alfred Young, Gouldsboro : Roscoe G. 
Young, Gouldsboro. 

31st Regiment : J. J. Roberts, Winter Harbor. 

Navy: S. 0. Moore, Prospect Harbor; *Reuben 
Hammond, South Gouldsboro : *G. E. Brown ; Prospect 

♦Deceased. 

107 



FEB 15 1904 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 

Harbor; B. Bickford, Winter Harbor; *G. Jones, Birch 
Harbor ; *Z. Joy, Winter Harbor ; *Montgomery Ham- 
mond, Winter Harbor. 

Volunteers whose regiment was not learned : *C. E. 
Cole, Prospect Harbor; Byron Moore, Prospect Harbor, 
died in service ; Alfred Hamilton, Prospect Harbor ; Ezra 
Over, Prospect Harbor ; William Over, Prospect Harbor ; 
Jonas Crane, Birch Harbor ; James Stevens, Winter 
Harbor; George Matthews, Winter Harbor; *Edward 
Sargent, South Gouldsboro ; Martin Myrick, South Goulds- 
boro ; *Roderick Rolfe, West Gouldsboro ; *Judson Young, 
West Gouldsboro; *Eli H. Bunker, West Gouldsboro; 
Handy Bunker, West Gouldsboro ; *Samuel Spurling, 
Gouldsboro ; *Eben M. Sowle, Gouldsboro ; *Hermon 
Parrott, Gouldsboro ; Leonard Wakefield, Alfred Moore, 
Gouldsboro ; *Charles Moore, Gouldsboro ; *Alexander 
Chipman, Corea. 



*Deceased. 




108 













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